Lack of defence costly for the Cats

Game details

Perth Wildcats 91 defeated by SEM Phoenix 112

State Basketball Centre

Box Score

20 January 2022

Summary

The Perth Wildcats have fallen 91-112 to SEM Phoenix in at State Basketball Centre in Melbourne. Following a big win over Sydney on Friday night and a quick schedule turnaround, the Wildcats looked visibly fatigued against a sharp-shooting SEM Phoenix. The home side came out firing on offence and were strong on defence and Wildcats could not find the answers. Bryce Cotton led Perth in scoring with 25 points, while Alan Williams starred for Phoenix, managing a game-high 27 points.

Reaction

John Rillie shares his thoughts post-game.

"With our quick turnaround, two things I wanted to emphasise was communication and rebounding," he said.

"So that just showed me where our mind was at at the start of the game.

"Two things we were worried about was de-trans and the rebounding and we showed where we're at in the first play of the game.

Player focus

Bryce Cotton finished with a team-high 25 points, 5 rebounds and 4 assists.

Next game

Perth Wildcats return home to face Illawarra Hawks on Friday 27 January.