In a night that Perth Wildcats fans had been eagerly anticipating for months, their team made a triumphant return to RAC Arena, riding the energy of a record crowd to a thrilling 110-103 victory over the Adelaide 36ers. The win, fueled by a huge second half from Kristian Doolittle and gritty performance from superstar Bryce Cotton, helped the Wildcats solidify their hold on third place in the NBL standings.
Wildcats Feed Off Home Crowd’s Energy
Playing in front of their home fans for the first time since December 6th, the Wildcats seemed determined to put on a show for the 13,570 boisterous supporters packed into RAC Arena – the largest crowd of the NBL season. After a tight first quarter, Perth seized control with a dominant 30-17 second quarter, building a lead they would never relinquish.
“The thing I liked most about tonight is you wouldn’t say we played our best or most efficient basketball, but looking after the ball, the way we rebounded, the way we had multiple contributors at different times in the game, that was really pleasing to see.”
– Wildcats coach John Rillie
Doolittle, Cotton Lead the Way
Kristian Doolittle was the standout performer for the Wildcats, erupting for 18 of his game-high 27 points in the second half while also pulling down 10 rebounds. Bryce Cotton, despite an uncharacteristically poor shooting night (6-of-23 from the field), still managed to pour in 22 points, doing much of his damage from the free throw line and with his defensive intensity.
The Wildcats needed every bit of Doolittle and Cotton’s production to hold off a spirited second half charge from the 36ers. Behind the electric play of point guard Kendric Davis (31 points on 63% shooting, 10 assists), sharpshooting from captain Dejan Vasiljevic (23 points, 5 threes), and inside presence of Montrezl Harrell (19 points on 89% shooting), Adelaide repeatedly threatened in the fourth quarter.
But each time the margin was cut to a single possession, the Wildcats had an answer, with Cotton and Doolittle making clutch plays to keep the 36ers at bay. When the final buzzer sounded, Perth had escaped with a hard-fought seven point win, much to the delight of their adoring home crowd.
Davis and Cotton’s Marquee Matchup
The game within the game was the much-anticipated point guard duel between the NBL’s two best floor generals in Bryce Cotton and Kendric Davis. The pair went toe-to-toe all night, trading dazzling drives, poised pull-ups, and timely playmaking.
Davis ultimately got the better of the individual matchup, with Cotton having the rare off shooting night, but the Wildcats star came up big when his team needed it most. Several of Cotton’s hard-earned trips to the foul line came in the game’s critical closing minutes, as he helped ice the victory from the charity stripe.
Turning Point
The pivotal stretch came early in the second quarter, with the 36ers leading 24-22 after an evenly played opening period. The Wildcats ramped up their defensive intensity, forcing a series of Adelaide turnovers and rushed shots, triggering a 9-2 run to take the lead. They finished the quarter on an 8-1 spurt, building a 52-41 halftime advantage that put them in the driver’s seat.
“The second quarter was the difference in the game. Super proud of our guys to come out in the second half and get control of that game. I never felt we lost our togetherness or momentum.”
– 36ers coach Mike Wells
Home Sweet Home
After more than a month away from RAC Arena, the Wildcats clearly savored their long-awaited homecoming. The rowdy Perth faithful brought playoff-level energy, and their team responded by digging deep to pull out a gritty win over a formidable foe.
The Wildcats will look to further capitalize on their home court advantage in the coming weeks, with four of their next five games at RAC Arena as they jockey for playoff positioning. If the atmosphere and effort level mirror what we saw in their thrilling return, visiting teams are in for a serious challenge on Perth’s home floor.
Key Takeaways
- Wildcats make triumphant return to RAC Arena with 110-103 win over 36ers
- Doolittle (27 pts, 10 reb) and Cotton (22 pts) lead the way for Perth
- Kendric Davis shines for Adelaide with 31 pts, 10 ast in loss
- Record crowd of 13,570 energizes Wildcats in long-awaited homecoming
- Perth uses dominant second quarter to build lead, hold off 36ers’ rally
The Wildcats’ thrilling victory in their return to RAC Arena not only delighted the Perth faithful, but served notice to the rest of the NBL that they remain a force to be reckoned with, especially on their home floor. With Bryce Cotton, Kristian Doolittle, and a deep supporting cast leading the way, and the NBL’s most imposing home court advantage at their backs, the Wildcats look poised for a strong finish as the season hits the home stretch.
