Wildcats defeat Breakers to end mini-drought

Game Report Template

Details
Perth Wildcats 89 defeated NZ Breakers 80
RAC Arena
Box Score
7 April 2022

Summary
The Perth Wildcats needed a win, and they got it. Coming into the game after three-straight losses at home, the pressure was on the Wildcats to break the mini-drought and solidify the position in the top-four. Against a gutsy Breakers side, the Wildcats had a solid start and maintained their advantage by getting to the foul line. After early shooting struggles in the second, the Wildcats exploded in the later part of the second, and continued the run to start the second half. It was the defining period of the game, with the margin going from a two possession game to a double-digit lead. The Breakers didn’t go away and it took some big hits down the stretch from  Luke Travers, Jesse Wagstaff and Vic Law to secure the win.

Reaction
Scott Morrison on the much-needed win
“We needed it. I thought the guys put in a good week under some tough circumstances. We have a lot of work to do and improvements to make still if we want to make a tun at this post-season, but we needed to get a win, and it was a hard-fought battle by the end of it.”

Scott Morrison on his team’s defence
“All the guys are buying in and trusting each other defensively, locking in to what their roles are defensively and they are encouraging each other from the bench to really keep playing hard, and take it one possession at a time. Those are all really key things for us defensively.”

Player focus
The win came via committee with five players scoring in double figures but no Wildcat scoring more than 20. Vic Law top-scored with 18 while Bryce Cotton had 16. Luke Travers had a well-rounded game after starting at the point guard position, finishing with 11 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals. Matt Hodgson was solid with 10 points and five boards and Majok Majok has seven and seven.

Key stats and facts
Turnovers were the key difference, with the Breakers finishing with 17 to Perth’s 11 and the Wildcats scoring 19 points from turnovers
The Wildcats won the first three quarters of a game for the first time since Round 3.

Next game
The Perth Wildcats take on Adelaide in a week’s time at RAC Arena on Thursday 14 April.