Undisciplined Wildcats blown out by South East Melbourne

A lack of displine has seen the Perth Wildcats blown out 96-71 by the South East Melbourne Phoenix at Melbourne’s State Basketbal Centre.

 That’s according to disappointed coach, Trevor Gleeson.

“The last two games were good, competitive, but (today) I thought we were a second slow, defensively we were horrendous. Eveything we worked on in preparation didn’t come into the game,” he said.

“It’s more upstairs than anything.”

After starting the game with a 9-0 run, Perth allowed Phoenix back in before finding themselves down double-digits at the half.

It didn’t improve from there.

“We lacked the discipline needed on both ends of the floor, to execute offensively, to make them play defence… We weren’t able to maintain the pressure on defence like we did last game,” said Gleeson.

“I thought we took the easy way out, and didn’t do what the team needed defensively and offensively we didn’t set screens, we didn’t cut hard and we didn’t move the ball. That’s a recipe for disaster.”

Wildcats shooter Clint Steindl did not play after suffering a low grade hamstring strain in the previous game.

Todd Blanchfield left the game early after receieving what appeared to be a heavy knock to the knee, but returned to play 23 minutes.

Despite struggling from range, Bryce Cotton finished 15 points and a season-high nine assists.

John Mooney top-scored with 19 points in his fourth double-double of the season.

Captain Jesse Wagstaff was also a solid contributer with 11 points off the bench.

The result sees the season-series between the Wildcats and Phoenix tied at two games apiece, with their NBL Cup matchup to be the decider.

Perth open their NBL Cup campaign against Melbourne United on Saturday night

Perth Wildcats 71 (Mooney 19, Cotton 15, Wagstaff 11)

South East Melbourne Phoenix (Sykes 24, Creek 18, Te Rangi 16)