Mooney, Cotton overpower Kings

Import duo Bryce Cotton and John Mooney have put on a show to lead the Perth Wildcats to its second-straight NBL Cup win.

Mooney and Cotton became the first pair for teammates to go for a 30-piece each in the 113-106 win.

Mooney finished with 30 points, 16 rebounds, four assists and two blocks in his best NBL game.

Meanwhile, earlier in the day, it looking unlikely Cotton would be available to play as he battled illness.

90 minutes before tip-off declared himself ready to go.

“We didn’t even know he was going to play until an hour and half before the game started,” said coach Trevor Gleeson

“He wanted to play, he didn’t want to let his teammates down. He could have quite easily said I’m not feeling very well coach, I’m out. It’s a testament to what kind of person he is, a selfless person, that he’ll get out there and play.

“To put in a performance like that when you’re not a hundred per cent. You tip your hat to him.”

The reigning MVP finished with 30 points and nine assists.

After a strong start to the game, a hot shooting Sydney Kings fought back and led by as much as 10 points in the first half, but the Wildcats stayed in touch before piling on season-high 15 three-pointers of their own.

“It was a really gutsy win, especially with how well they were shooting the ball,” said Gleeson.

“We had to wrestle that momentum back before halftime. We built some momentum for the third quarter.”

A 32-17 third quarter proved to be the defining period of the game.

Todd Blanchfield’s 17 points, including four triples, proved crucial while a near double-double 10-point eight-assist from Mitch Norton game was influential.

Perth are back in action on Friday against the Cairns Taipans.

Perth Wildcats 113 (Mooney 30, Cotton 30, Blanchfield 17)

Sydney Kings 106 (Ware 34, Louzada 19, Veiljevic 13)