Wildcats Open Season with a Bang

Game details

Perth Wildcats 87 defeat Brisbane Bullets 73

RAC Arena

Box Score

2 October 2022

Summary

The Perth Wildcats have sent a message to the league after an impressive 14-point win over the Brisbane Bullets. Bullets have been tipped as favourites going into the season, boosted by the signing of Aron Baynes, but the home side held strong. Despite a slow start, the Wildcats fired up in the second quarter, tying the scores at the half time break.

Jesse Wagstaff wound back the clock, finishing with four three-pointers, while TaShawn Thomas did a solid job on Baynes, and finished with 12 points and six assists.

Devondrick Walker top scored for the Bullets, finishing with 16 points and five rebounds.

Reaction

John Rillie on how he felt after his first win.

“We accomplished what we’ve been trying to do for six weeks, it was a great way to start the season, the full crowd, the atmosphere, the players have been working hard so to get rewarded with that type of win is a good start.”

Bryce Cotton on how he thought the team went.

“I’m just happy we got the win, at the end of the day it was a lot of excitement, and I think the good thing about us was they came out and blitzed us to start the game, but then, we trusted our defence and all of a sudden that got our offence flowing, and from there we were just locked in.”

Player focus

Bryce Cotton set The Jungle alight. The three-time MVP finished with 23 points, a career-high 12 rebounds, six assists and six steals. With tonight’s two three-pointers, Cotton also notched up his 500^th three for the Wildcats.

Next game

Perth Wildcats take on Illawarra Hawks at RAC Arena on 8 October 2022, get tickets!