Sarr delivers Wildcats memorable Pink Game win

The 18-year-old NBA draft prospect came up big in the final term, nailing a pair of clutch three-pointers within a minute to help the Wildcats overcome a brave 36ers outfit 82-75.

Sarr finished 16 points, his highest tally so far in the NBL, to go with six rebounds in a little over 20 minutes of court time.

Adelaide trailed for all bar 1.46 on the night but gave the hosts a scare in the second half after fighting their way back from 17 points down to snatch the lead late in the third.

Import Jordan Usher provided a third-quarter spark, doubling his first-half points tally of seven in a matter of minutes on his way to 16 for the match.

Three-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton was the most consistent player on the court with a game-high 19 points and five assists.

Veteran Corey Webster (11 points) also did his part in younger brother Tai’s absence, while big man Keanu Pinder had 10, seven rebounds and three steals before getting fouled out late in the contest.

Sarr entered the game midway through the opening term and had an immediate impact at both ends of the floor.

He also finished the term with a buzzer-beater fadeaway to give the Wildcats a 28-17 advantage at quarter-time.

When Cotton wasn’t hitting shots, he was setting them up with some impressive passes including a pin-point long-range delivery to Pinder.

It came as no surprise that Cotton led all scorers at the main break with 13, the exact margin his team’s lead.

Adelaide went on a 8-0 run to start the second half before a typically Cotton three-pointer, remarkably the Wildcats’ first of the night, helped ease the pressure.

But the visitors kept coming and even took the lead through Jason Cadee with a little over three minutes left in the third.

Scores were tied at 70-apiece late in the match before Cotton and Sarr came to the party to give the Wildcats their second win in three starts this season.

The Wildcats’ next assignment is another home fixture against Melbourne United at RAC Arena on Friday night.