Rebounding major factor in double-overtime loss

Perth Wildcats coach Scott Morrison has conceded a greater emphasis on rebounding was required to defeat the Brisbane Bullets on Sunday.

The Wildcats fell 94-97 in a double-overtime thriller at RAC Arena.

Morrison said the 49-62 rebound count and the Bullets 23 second chance points was costly.

“It was a major factor in the loss, letting them get 24 offensive rebounds including three or four tip-ins late in the game, which was a shame because the guys worked so hard to get those stops,” he said.

“I stand by what I said early in the week, rebounding is more about heart and positioning and desire. I don’t think our guys lack heart or desire but I definitely think we lacked some technique and positioning at times when we had the opportunity to block somebody and we tried to out-jump them.”

Morrison also pointed the finger at himself and his side’s matchups to open the game, with Brisbane getting out to a 9-0 start.

The Wildcats would bounce back with a 16-point run of their own and, from there, the game was in the balance for the remainder of the afternoon.

Perth had the chance to win it at the end of the end of the fourth but came up short, while a full court heave from Nathan Sobey nearly handed Brisbane the miracle win at the end of the first overtime period.

Vic Law was outstanding in overtime, scoring 15 of his 29 points, but it wasn’t enough as the Wildcats were unable to hit a shot while trailing by one as the clock died down.

Bryce Cotton hit some big shots in the clutch to put his team in a strong position, while Majok Majok was probably the Wildcats most consistent player to and ended with nine points and 14 rebounds.

Todd Blanchfield returned from injury and finished the night with 14 points on four of five made triples.

The Wildcats get another look at Brisbane when they meet again on Friday night at RAC Arena.

Perth Wildcats 97 (Law 29, Cotton 19, Blanchfield 14)

Brisbane Bullets 94 (Patterson 27, Franks 21, Sobey 19)