Wildcats storm home to claim season opening win

The Perth Wildcats have celebrated the end of a 10-month basketball drought by opening their 2020/21 campaign defeating the South East Melbourne Phoenix 88-76 at RAC Arena.

After looking at an eight-point deficit in the third quarter, the Wildcats locked down defensively, causing 20 turnovers and tilting the game in their favour

With three minutes remaining in the game, the Wildcats led by just one point before going on a 14-point run to shut the gate on the Phoenix.

Trevor Gleeson said he was impressed with his team’s energy.

“That’s what we rely on. There’s guys with roles on this team and we need them to play their roles. Even Jarred Bairstow came on for quality minutes and he provided energy and got a quick two-point,” he said.

“Then we got on a bit of a flow defensively with him on the court. That energy is infectious when we do it.”

In his professional debut, John Mooney set a record for rebounds by a Wildcat playing in his first NBL game, pulling down 15 – including a putback slam off his own three-point attempt.

Bryce Cotton led the game in both points and assists with 27 and six, while Todd Blanchfield provided an important scoring option with 16 in his first game as a ‘Cat.

“It was a lot of fun, especially when the crowd is cheering for you instead of against you. I can’t wait to see it at full capacity,” he said.

He said a big part of the team’s focus is to provide help for Cotton.

“The attention teams give him is deserved as he’s such a good player and can score the ball in so many different ways,” he said.

“When he’s double-teamed, other guys have the chance to step up, I think when we had our moments tonight e were able to do that, move the ball and get the looks we wanted to.

“It was our first hit-out, so we have to continue to build on that.”

The two sides meet again on Friday night at RAC Arena.

Perth Wildcats 88 (Cotton 27, Blanchfield 16, Mooney 13)

South East Melbourne Phoenix (Creek 17, Gliddon 15, Gibson 13)