Wildcats lock down in crushing win over Hawks

An impressive defensive performance has seen the Perth Wildcats hold the Illawarra Hawks to their lowest score of the year and come away with an 87-70 win.

Coach Trevor Gleeson said it was pleasing to see his team adjust following a loss just two nights ago.

“We were really good talking, communicating, getting down in a stance and playing some really good defence to start the game, and that carried on throughout the whole game.”

The Wildcats held the Hawks to 17 first quarter points and just 31 first half points.

On the offensive end, they drained eight first half threes to take a commanding lead to the interval.

“It was a great effort by the guys to lock in and concentrate, given it was the third game in five days.”

Gleeson made his first change to the starting group of 2020/21, switch Luke Travers for rookie Jarred Bairstow – who finished with four assists and three boards.

“If you told me six months ago I’d be starting for the Perth Wildcats right now, I’d have told you you were dreaming,” said Bairstow.

“It really is a dream come true, I can’t thank the guys enough for welcoming me and giving me the confidence to go out there and play through this whole process. “

The Wildcats dished out 23 assists to the Hawks 11, while forcing them to 17 turnovers and committing just eight of their own.

Bryce Cotton led the scoring with 18 points, while John Mooney filled up the stat sheet with a 14-point, 10-rebound double-double to go with five dimes.

Jesse Wagstaff lit it up off the bench with 14 points, three rebounds and two assists.

The Wildcats will now take a couple of days to recover before commencing preparing for a Friday night clash against the NZ Breakers.

Perth Wildcats 87 (Cotton 18, Blanchfield 16, Wagstaff 14)

Illawarra Hawks 70 (Harvey 17, White 9, Simon 9)