Wildcats crush Phoenix in record-breaking night

A dominant team performance has seen the Perth Wildcats snap a two-game slump, thumping the South East Melbourne Phoenix 106-75 at Melbourne’s State Basketball Centre.

It’s the second consecutive game where the reigning champions have held opponents to 75 points, but this time, they were able to convert on offence.

“It’s just playing the right way, there’s no secret to what we say, we pass the ball to the open man and I don’t think we were doing that,” he said.

“We were putting too much pressure on Bryce and just passing him the ball and watching.

“But now, we’re involved, we’re cutting, we’re screening, we’re moving the ball, and that shows up on the scoreboard.”

After a first quarter arm wrestle, the Wildcats opened up a commanding lead in the second term and continued to build on it as the game went on.

Todd Blanchfield had his best game in a Wildcats uniform, finishing with 22 points and five assists.

The head coach was impressed with his recruit’s performance.

“Now that he has found his spots and where he can get open, and how he can do it (he’s more comfortable),” said Gleeson.

“He had a couple of big offensive rebounds too. Really good game by Todd.”

John Mooney was everywhere, picking up his third double-double from four starts, finishing with 18 points and 13 rebounds plus a pair of blocks.

Cotton played the role of distributor with a game-high seven assists to go with 15 points and four rebounds.

The game also saw Trevor Gleeson break the Perth Wildcats record for both games-coached and games-won as Willdcats coach - overtaking Alan Black on both lists.

Vice-captain Mitch Norton said the team was pleased to be able to perform on a big occasion.

“It’s an unbelievable achievement,” said Norton.

“I’ve said it before, if you’re the MVP or the DP, you’re still going to get coached and I think that gives a lot of people confidence coming in.”

The Wildcats and Phoenix meet again on Sunday at 2pm WA time.

Watch live on VICELAND or SBS On Demand.

Perth Wildcats 106 (Blanchfield 22, Mooney 18, Cotton 15)

South East elbourne Phoenix 75 (Adnam 24, Moore 18, Creek 16)