Wildcats share load in win over 36ers

Trevor Gleeson said he made adjustments to his substitution patterns to help get his team through one of the most intense schedules in NBL history.

In its sixth game in 11 days, Perth defeated the 36ers 76-68 in Adelaide, despite missing Bryce Cotton with groin soreness.

Gleeson said to keep players fresh, he rotated them through the bench more often than he normally would.

“It (the busy schedule) was really unchartered waters for us,” he said.

“It’s a big ask for the guys, so I really wanted to with two to three minute rotations and I thought the bench was excellent today to come and really give us a spark when we needed it.

“We knew it was going to be a grind towards the end… These last two games were a little more energetic and I guess my sub pattern was a little bit shorter. All the guys stepped up. We had 11 guys playing in that first quarter and they did a terrific job.”

10 of 11 Wildcats hit the scoreboard, while Todd Blanchfield was the only player to be on court for more than 30 minutes.

Mitch Norton scored 19 points – his first time leading the Wildcats in scoring in his 94 games at the club.

John Mooney had his 21^st double-double of the season with 15 points, 12 rebounds plus five assists.

Todd Blanchfield and Clint Steindl combined for five triples.

The game was in the balance going into the final minutes, but clutch plays from Mitch Norton and 19-year-old Luke Travers helped put the result beyond doubt.

Perth’s next matchup is against the Sydney Kings on Thursday night at RAC Arena.

Perth Wildcats 76 (Norton 19, Mooney 15, Blanchfield 14)

Adelaide 36ers 68 (Crocker 12, Dillon 11, Paul 10)