A clutch fourth-quarter efficiency from Bryce Cotton has impressed Perth Wildcats to a surprising 106-99 comeback victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix in a dramatic begin to the NBL’s inaugural Play-In Tournament.
South East Melbourne led for almost all of Thursday night time’s sudden-death play-in qualifier at John Cain Arena however Perth bounced again from a 13-point deficit within the remaining quarter to finish the Phoenix’s season in spectacular style.
The Wildcats exploded with 41 factors within the remaining 10 minutes to run excessive of the Phoenix, with league MVP finalist Cotton stepping up with Perth’s season on the road to fireplace in 20 factors for the time period.
Cotton recovered from a 1-of-9 taking pictures effort within the first half to complete with a game-high 26 factors whereas Brady Manek drilled six three-pointers in his 24-point haul, coach John Rillie praising the American duo for exhibiting their high quality in a high-pressure scenario.
“Water always finds its level. If you’re a pro and you really embrace what you’re about in your profession, you’ll get rewarded,” Rillie stated.
“No one was surprised with Bryce, it was just a matter of when it was going to happen.”
After scraping into the ultimate post-season berth by defeating minor premiers Sydney within the final sport of the common season, the Wildcats will now face off in opposition to the loser of the Cairns v Tasmania seeding qualifier in Sunday’s play-in sport for the correct to face the Kings in a best-of-three Playoff sequence.
South East Melbourne held a 51-47 lead at halftime due to a 12-point, 11-rebound effort from centre Alan Williams, Manek protecting Perth within the battle with 5 triples in a 19-point outburst.
A run of 10 unanswered factors late within the third quarter allowed the Phoenix to seize a 76-65 benefit however Cotton sparked the outstanding comeback with 12 factors within the opening three minutes of the ultimate stanza whereas Mitch Norton and Luke Travers made very important baskets within the closing levels.
Trey Kell III gave the house facet a glint of hope when his three-pointer closed Perth’s result in three factors within the remaining minute however Ryan Broekhoff couldn’t join on a game-tying triple with 30 seconds to play and TaShawn Thomas iced the sport from the free-throw line.
Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell gave credit score to Perth for his or her play in dying levels whereas describing his defeated squad as ‘a particular group’.
“It’s one of the most beautiful groups I’ve ever been a part of, which probably adds to the disappointment that we weren’t able to close that game out,” Mitchell stated.
“We put ourselves in a position to be successful and then we came up against a pretty special performance by the Wildcats in that last quarter.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
