Wildcats thrash reigning champs on the road, continue hot form

The Wildcats have now won five of their last six away games with one more to go against Brisbane on Wednesday before four consecutive home games, taking their season record to 13-9.

Four-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton’s golden run kept rolling with a game-high 32 points including 17 in the opening term to kickstart his team’s huge afternoon.

In an added bonus, the 105 points scored by the Wildcats was the highest of the Summer Shootout so far, eclipsing Adelaide’s 103 on Friday night.

Dylan Windler was another influential performer, producing a 15-point, 10-rebound double-double to go with four blocks and two steals.

Youngster Ben Henshall contributed 10 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Hyrum Harris (12 points and five rebounds) finished the game strongly.

Coming off his fifth 40-plus point haul of the season, Cotton continued his red-hot form.

Cotton had four triples and 15 points within the first six minutes in a stunning burst as Perth took a 20-17 lead.

Young gun David Okwera got another starting opportunity and was important with his aggression on the glass.

In his first appearance in more than a month, Kristian Doolittle checked in late in the opening term.

Cotton was up to 17 by quarter-time to help the Wildcats to a 29-22 advantage.

It was Ben Henshall time to start the second term with the emerging guard scoring four consecutive points.

He followed that up with back-to-back assists to Cotton and Hyrum Harris before another bucket of his own.

The Wildcats played at a frenetic pace to produce plenty of scoring opportunities.

The lead grew to 22 points by half-time as Perth piled on a whopping 64 first-half points with Cotton doubling the points tally of any other player on court with 26 to go with six assists.

In a remarkable start to the third term, the Wildcats piled on 11 consecutive points within two-and-a-half minutes before Tasmania finally scored.

Windler, who was having a massive impact at both ends of the floor, became the second Wildcat into double digits when he nailed a long-range triple as he nears a double-double.

The home side went on a run on their own midway through the quarter to get the deficit from as much as 32 points back down to 23.

But Perth steadied before three-quarter time to lead 92-60 with a quarter to play.

Michael Harris brought up triple-figures for the Wildcats with a three midway through the final term.

Harris and fellow youngster Dontae Russo-Nance got some court time late with Cotton getting a well-deserved rest.