Wildcats capitalise on hot start in Adelaide

Details
Perth Wildcats 92 defeated Adelaide 36ers 73
Adelaide Entertainment Centre
Box Score
6 March 2022

Summary
Against the trend set by the Wildcats for much of this season, the visitors came out of the blocks fast via Todd Blanchfield who dropped 17 in the first quarter, leading to a seven-point quarter time advantage. Bryce Cotton took the reins in the second quarter and the Wildcats had 50 by halftime for the second time this year. Perth entered the second half with a a sizeable advantage, but the 36ers hung around and were able to bring the margin back to within 10. After Cotton again saw the Wildcats withstand the run, the final quarter followed a similar pattern but this time the margin was reduced to just eight, before Perth went on a 14-2 run to close out the contest.
Perth were without Matt Hodgson (calf) and Kevin White (family reasons), but saw the return of Mitch Norton.

Reaction
Scott Morrison initial reaction
“I thought offensively we clicked pretty well, we were pretty efficient, we shot a good percentage, we made the most of our opportunities, it obviously helped that we got out hot and saw the ball go in a few times. Defensively, it was a bitter-sweet effort, we hit our goals in terms of trying to keep them under a certain number of points… but any time you give up 22 offensive rebounds you have to feel pretty fortunate that you came away with the win.”

Todd Blanchfield reaction to season-best game
“It’s obviously nice to make some shots, but at the same time it’s nice to come away with a win, but also just to be on the floor. It’s been a little disrupted this year from a personal point of view with injury. It’s been a little different but just nice to be on the floor and to be able to put some games together.” 

Player focus
Bryce Cotton had a game-high 27 points and team-high seven assists. Vic Law came away with his fifth double-double of the season, finishing with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Todd Blanchfield had a season-high 22 points and season-high nine rebounds after beginning the game with six-straight makes from the field.

Key stats and facts
The Wildcats outscored the 36ers despite putting up 28 more attempts. They shot a solid 49% from the field including 13 of 29 from range.
Perth dropped 26 dimes, six more than their previous best for 2021/22, doubling the 36ers effort.
Adelaide won the rebounding battle 42-47. Perth’s bench has a season-low eight points.
It was the Wildcats first win at the Adelaide Entertainment Center since May 2021, improving their record at the venue to 2-3 from their last five visits.

Next game
The Perth Wildcats take on Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on Thursday.