Perth Wildcats Put on a Pre-Season Show in Bunbury

Details

Perth Wildcats 98 defeated Adelaide 36ers 87

Eaton Recreation Centre

Box Score

9 September 2022

Summary

The Perth Wildcats have defeated Adelaide 36ers in their first pre-season game of NBL23. The Wildcats had some late withdrawals from the roster, with Brady Manek (ankle), Majok Majok (ankle), Jesse Wagstaff (hamstring soreness), Corey Shervill (foot) and Jack Andrew (ankle) unable to suit up in Eaton. Despite the exclusions, the Wildcats came out firing in the first, taking a 6-point lead into the first break, before Adelaide stepped up in the second to close the gap at half time. With the hot-hand of TaShawn Thomas, who finished with an impressive 19 points and four rebounds, and the MVP Bryce Cotton turning it on, finishing with 20 points, three rebounds and four assists, the Wildcats quickly jumped back out to a double-figure lead going into the fourth. Local hero Luke Travers put on a show for the fans, finishing just shy of a double-double with 16 points and nine rebounds.

Reaction

John Rillie was pleased with how his team performed together.

"We've been going against each other for about a month so it was really good to play a team other than us," he said.

"We want to make sure we have guys at the end of the ball who can make the shot, but we've got to have elite ball movers and that's what you saw tonight."

Player focus

Luke Travers was a stand-out at both ends of the floor, impressing with 16 points, nine rebounds, and two steals. A BC to LT alley-oop in the fourth quarter really got the Bunbury crowd on their feet!

Next game

The Perth Wildcats take face Adelaide 36ers on Sunday at HBF Arena in Joondalup, tip-of at 1pm WST.