Cotton Erupts for 53 as 36ers Survive Taipans Scare

Bryce Cotton reminded everyone why he’s the NBL’s ultimate closer, exploding for a franchise-record 53 points to drag the Adelaide 36ers past a gutsy, undermanned Cairns Taipans 91–86 on Saturday night.

It was Cotton’s second career 50-point game — and the first in Adelaide’s 43-year history — as the five-time MVP single-handedly bailed out a Sixers side that couldn’t shake a depleted Cairns team missing key starters Sam Waardenburg and Jack McVeigh.

The 36ers needed every bit of Cotton’s brilliance. He started steadily with 11 in the first quarter, 12 in the second, eight in the third, and then detonated for 22 in the fourth to seal the win. He finished 16-of-29 from the field, 5-of-13 from deep, and a perfect 16-of-16 at the line.

Cotton’s 53 points eclipsed the late Darryl Pearce’s long-standing club record of 48, set in 1988 during the 48-minute era. The performance also pushed Adelaide to 5–1, their best start in years, and reaffirmed Cotton’s status as the league’s most unstoppable scorer.

Still, Cairns refused to roll over. Despite being down multiple frontcourt players, the Snakes battled with heart. Andrew Andrews (23 points, seven assists) ran the offence with poise until fouling out in the final minute after two quick technicals. Admiral Schofield (18 points, nine rebounds, five assists) hit five threes, and Reyne Smith added 17 to keep the game alive.

When Schofield nailed his fifth triple with just over a minute left, the margin was down to one. But Cotton iced it — calmly knocking down free throws to cap his historic night.

Flynn Cameron was Adelaide’s next best contributor with 14 points and eight rebounds, while Isaac Humphries added eight points. Captain DJ Vasiljevic continued to search for rhythm, finishing with just three points on 1-of-7 shooting.

For most of the night, Cairns’ defence threw multiple bodies at Cotton — none of it mattered. Whether off balance, fading, or driving into contact, every shot seemed destined to drop. His relentless fourth-quarter scoring run reminded everyone that the MVP conversation still begins and ends with him.

The Taipans, now 2–5, can take heart from their effort, even in defeat. They’ll stay home to host the Perth Wildcats on Wednesday as part of the Ignite Cup, while Adelaide prepares for a blockbuster Sunday clash with undefeated Melbourne United.

Final score: Adelaide 36ers 91 defeated Cairns Taipans 86.