Perth Wildcats Hold Off Adelaide 36ers as Cotton’s Seven Threes Fall Short

The Perth Wildcats survived a seven-three-pointer explosion from Bryce Cotton to claim a tough 94–87 win over the Adelaide 36ers in front of a record crowd at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday.

Cotton’s first meeting with his old club delivered the drama expected. The five-time MVP arrived to a roaring reception and finished with 23 points, seven assists, five rebounds and three steals. He went 7-of-13 from deep but struggled inside the arc, shooting just 1-of-11 as Perth’s defence held firm.

Despite Cotton’s fireworks, the Wildcats’ balanced attack proved decisive. Perth had five players in double figures and controlled key stretches of the second half to extend their winning streak over the Sixers to seven games.

Kristian Doolittle sparked the decisive 14–2 run in the final quarter, finishing with 16 points, nine rebounds and three assists. Dylan Windler delivered a standout performance with 18 points, 12 rebounds and five assists, while David Duke Jr added 16 points and four assists in a strong battle with Cotton.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr chipped in 13 points, six rebounds and two blocks, and Jaron Rillie added 10 points as Perth improved to 6–5 on the season.

Adelaide fell to 7–3 after fading late. Nick Rakocevic had 15 points and eight rebounds, Isaac White added 15 points, Isaac Humphries finished with 13 points and eight boards, and DJ Vasiljevic contributed 13 points.

The Sixers led 18–17 at quarter-time but were hammered on the glass in the second period. Perth won the rebound count 14–4 in the quarter, including an 8–2 edge on the offensive boards, with Windler setting the tone.

Even so, Adelaide nudged ahead 45–44 at half-time before a wild third quarter delivered 35 lead changes across the opening three periods. Cotton’s buzzer-beating triple put the 36ers up 76–72 at three-quarter time, and he made two more threes early in the fourth as the margin grew to six.

From there, the 36ers went ice cold, missing 12 of their next 13 shots while Perth surged back in front and held firm across the final minute.

Adelaide now heads to Hobart to face the Tasmania JackJumpers on Thursday, while Perth returns home to play the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday night.

Final score: Adelaide 36ers 87 defeated by Perth Wildcats 94.