Rillie hails team's resolve after fighting road win over Breakers

The Wildcats led by as much as 13 points early in the third quarter before the Breakers stormed back into the contest to take the lead on multiple occasions throughout the second half.

But the visitors held on for their fourth road victory out of five attempts amid a long seven-game away stretch, scoring 14 of the last 19 points of the match.

Four-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton starred with a game-high 41 points, including 16 in the final term when the game was on the line.

It was Cotton's fifth 40-plus point haul of the season against the team he scored a club-record 59 on last month.

"It was great for us to show some resolve and they did a great job in the third quarter to make it a game," Rillie said.

"For us to stay with it and not let the emotion in an arena with a nice atmosphere get on top of us, we did a great job as a team handling that situation and Bryce made some big-time shots."

After their early-season road struggles, Cotton felt the Wildcats now understood what’s required to get the job done away from home.

“We just have an appreciation for each possession throughout the games more than we did earlier in the season,” Cotton said.

“No matter what good plays or bad plays happen in the fourth quarter, sometimes the game is won by a play in the first half.

"It’s just having that mindset and understanding literally every possession can win or lose you a game. I think it’s been a game-changer for us.”

The Wildcats face another tough assignment next Sunday against reigning champs Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart.

The JackJumpers have only lost one game at MyState Bank Arena in NBL25, coming against South-East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday.