Wildcats sneak home over Tasmania in the West

A clutch final quarter performance from Bryce Cotton saw him score 10 points in the closing 5 minutes, has helped the Perth Wildcats overcome the Tasmania JackJumpers 89-88 at Perth Arena.

“No matter how well the cats are tracking in terms of winning or losing games, I mean this place is very hard to win in,” JackJumpers captain Clint Steindl said post game.

“We’ve had some fortunate games here in the past and obviously this season we”re 0-2 [in Perth] and to be that close and not finish off some possessions, that’s probably the frustrating part.”

Cotton put the home side up by a point with 6 seconds to go, with two clutch free throws. Tasmania had a chance to steal the win on the last play, with a three pointer from Jordon Crawford rimming out.

The JackJumpers had been in control for the majority of the game and led by as many as 16 points in the first half. However, the Wildcats came clawed their way back into the game and outscored the JackJumpers 49-40 in the second half, led by Bryce Cotton’s 28 points.

“It was exciting and I loved it, but they made a few more plays down the stretch than we did,” JackJumpers Coach Scott Roth said.

“That’s basketball, I thought it was great to be in it and give them a lot of credit. We just didn’t finish a few plays there at the end and the basketball gods sometimes reward you, and sometimes they don’t.”

For Tasmania, they had another big game from Jordon Crawford who had 29 points, including 5-8 from outside. Also Will Magnay stellar from from injury continued with 17 points, 9 rebounds and 4 blocks, while Anthony Drmic and Milton Doyle had 10 points each.

Tasmania also made a concentrated effort on the glass with 22 offensive rebounds, with second chance points being a major factor in building their first half lead. However, Perth refocused thier rebounding efforts after half-time, with Tasmania giving up rebounds late in the game that proved costly.

“I mean we’re relentless on the boards, getting 22 offensive boards. But then you give up 16 offensive boards at the other end and probably two or three of them were fairly crucial leading to a three at the end of the game from Webster. I mean you take one possession out and we’re probably on the other side of the scoreboard,” Steindl said.

Milton Doyle returns

The game also saw Milton Doyle return to the floor for the first time since taking leave from the team following the passing of his father. Scott Roth reflected on his presence with the team.

“To be honest with you I was impressed with Milt Doyle. I mean I thought he was fantastic for us because you know six days to fly to Chacago and come back here, land in Hobart, and then fly to Perth, and I asked him today what time zone are you on and he had no idea.”

“To go through that with the passing of his father…..I thought his effort just to come back with this group right away and be out there for him was fantastic”

Up next

The JackJumpers return to Hobart where they will take on the Sydney Kings at 2PM AEDT Sunday afternoon 17 December at MyState Bank Arena.