36ers fall to Wildcats on the road

An enormous second half fightback from Adelaide 36ers has come up short, falling 110-103 to Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena on Friday night.

The 36ers roared back into the contest with a blistering third quarter, storming back from a double-digit half-time deficit to cut the margin to one point on multiple occasions before the seven-point result. 

Kendric Davis was outstanding for Adelaide, scoring a game-high 31 points to go with 10 assists, while captain DJ Vasiljevic added 23 points, including 14 in a frantic final quarter display.

Montrezl Harrell scored 19 points to go with nine rebounds, while Jarell Martin added 10 points to go with four rebounds and Isaac Humphries had nine points with eight rebounds.

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Vasiljevic started the contest with a three-pointer, but the Wildcats went on a 7-0 run before Humphries scored inside, then Davis tied the game at 7-7.

Davis swished a three-pointer then found Jason Cadee inside to retake the lead at 14-13.

Harrell threw down a big slam dunk, then Sunday Dech scored on a runner before stealing the ball and finding Davis on the fast break as the 36ers extended the lead to 22-17.

Davis scored 11 points in the opening 10 minutes as Adelaide took a 24-22 lead into the first break.

Harrell ended a 5-0 Wildcats run to open the second quarter, then Davis continued to score to cut the Perth lead to 34-32.

Davis was everywhere in the first half, scoring 21 points, but the Wildcats ended the second quarter on a 10-3 run to take a 52-41 lead into the main interval.

Adelaide started the third quarter on an 8-3 run after some great ball movement to reduce the Perth lead to 55-49.

The 36ers reduced the Wildcats’ lead to six points on multiple occasions during the third quarter, a tough Martin three-point play made it 61-55.

Vasiljevic made six clutch free throws, Davis hit a three-pointer in transition, then Harrell converted a three-point play to cut the Perth lead to 76-73 going into the final 10 minutes.

A second three-pointer, then followed by third triple from Vasiljevic cut the margin to 82-80 with seven minutes remaining.

The Wildcats responded with a 6-0 run before Martin swished a triple from the corner, then a three-point play from Davis cut the Perth lead to 88-86.

Both sides traded baskets before a third three-pointer from Vasiljevic for the quarter cut the margin to 94-93.

The 36ers cut the margin to one-point on multiple occasions down the stretch, but were unable to take the lead as the home side sealed the game at the free throw line.

Adelaide will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when the 36ers travel to Cairns to battle the Taipans from 4pm ACDT.

PERTH WILDCATS 110 (Doolittle 27, Cotton 22, Henshall 14) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 103 (Davis 31, Vasiljevic 23, Harrell 19) at RAC Arena.
BOX SCORE