Clutch Cotton hits two big threes in one-point win

• Wildcats score 34 points in the fourth quarter, snap home losing skid
• Perth moves into top four on the NBL25 ladder
• Phoenix need to regroup quickly to face Adelaide at home

MVP-in-waiting Bryce Cotton hit back-to-back clutch threes to cap Perth Wildcats' remarkable fourth-quarter comeback, snatching a 100-99 victory (Game Centre) from the jaws of defeat against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at RAC Arena in round 19 of NBL25 on Friday, January 31, 2025.

Trailing by 12 points early in the final term, the Wildcats unleashed a blistering 34-point barrage to overturn the deficit and secure a crucial win that propels them to third place on the NBL ladder.

Wildcats coach John Rillie said: "We found a way like in both games last week we couldn't find a way despite having opportunities.

"Tonight we found a way and capitalised on those opportunities, but it just reflects the time of the season we're at right now."

The match was a tale of two halves, with neither team able to establish a significant advantage in a tightly contested first half that ended deadlocked at 49-49.

The Phoenix, who had struggled from beyond the arc in the opening two quarters, found their range in the third period, draining seven three-pointers to build what seemed to be a commanding lead.

However, the Wildcats refused to roll over on their home court. Led by the irrepressible Bryce Cotton, who finished with a game-high 29 points, Perth mounted a furious comeback. The turning point came with just over two minutes remaining when Cotton knocked down back-to-back triples, giving the Wildcats a seven-point cushion that they desperately clung to in the dying seconds.

The statistics tell the story of a game won in the trenches. Perth's improved ball movement was evident in their 12 first-half assists, nearly matching their entire tally from their previous outing against Cairns.

The Wildcats' ability to share the rock proved crucial in overcoming the Phoenix's hot shooting, with South East Melbourne connecting on eight three-pointers in the second half after making just one in the first.

Cotton's heroics were complemented by strong performances from his supporting cast. Keanu Pinder contributed 22 points and seven rebounds, while Kristian Doolittle recorded a double-double with 17 points and 13 boards, along with six assists. Their efforts helped neutralise a balanced Phoenix attack led by Matt Hurt's 19 points.

Phoenix coach Josh King said: "I'm proud of my guys, we played a really good game on the road against a tough team who was playing desperate, urgent.

"I think for the most part we stuck to the game plan and knew we had to concentrate in the fourth quarter, and we didn’t quite play our best down the stretch and maybe ran out of a bit of gas."

The victory sets the stage for a blockbuster matchup on Sunday, as the Wildcats host the Sydney Kings in what will be Jesse Wagstaff's 500th NBL game.

With playoff implications on the line and momentum on their side, Perth will look to continue their winning ways in front of their passionate home crowd.

Meanwhile, the Phoenix will need to regroup quickly as they return to John Cain Arena for the first time since December 21 to face the Adelaide 36ers in another crucial encounter that will shape the playoff picture.