Slow start costs Wildcats

The Perth Wildcats 91-99 loss to Melbourne United on Thursday night highlighted the importance of a strong start when playing the competition’s best teams.

Melbourne United’s biggest lead of the game occurred in the first quarter, as they skipped ahead by 15 on hot three-point shooting.

Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson was proud of his team’s effort down the stretch, but admits that the first quarter was costly.

“We didn’t start at the right level, 24 to nine I think it was, it’s disappointing how we started, but proud of how we finished. But that’s all it takes for a good team,” he said.

“We fought bravely, we got back in front from 15 down, they shot 62 per cent from the three in the first half and we’re still two possessions away. It’s a credit we were that close after they were hitting everything.

“But our defence was pretty poor to give those points up. It’s very hard to put the milk back into the bottle once it’s spilt.”

John Mooney and Bryce Cotton shared the team-high scoring honours for the Wildcats with 24 each, while Mitch Norton added 12.

Luke Travers helped keep the Wildcats alive with high-energy play down the stretch, finishing with eight points and six rebounds.

“He was great, we just need him to do that at the start of the game. He is a talent, he is developing, he is growing, and he is getting better. He’s finding his way and it was a really good finish for him.”

The Wildcats now head to Queensland for three games in five days, starting with the Bullets on Saturday.

Perth Wildcats 91 (Mooney 24, Cotton 24, Norton 12)

Melbourne United 99 (Goulding 26, Landale 19, McCarron 14)