Sixers battle hard against Cotton's Perth brilliance

Adelaide 36ers delivered a fight but Bryce Cotton and the Perth Wildcats were a little too much to overcome, winning 92-82.

It was a significant challenge ahead for the 36ers on Monday night at RAC Arena in Perth up against the reigning champions who were fresh off winning the NBL Cup having won eight of their last nine games.

The 36ers played an overtime game in Melbourne on Saturday night against the South East Melbourne Phoenix and were still without imposing centre Isaac Humphries and Next Star point guard Josh Giddey.

The fourth quarter of the game also saw Sunday Dech and Keanu Pinder foul out, and new impressive import Brandon Paul hurt an ankle late in the piece.

Despite all of that, it was an impressive fight from the Sixers and they made the Wildcats have to earn the win on their home floor in front of 9550 screaming fans in red.

Bryce Cotton's 23 points for the first half and 36 for the game were too tough for Adelaide to overcome, as were the 11 points and 14 rebounds from John Mooney.

There was plenty to be encouraged about from the 36ers. They led by four late in the opening quarter, were only six down at the half despite those 23 points from Cotton, and even though they never took the lead in the second half, they never gave up the fight.

Giving up the 23 offensive rebounds proved pivotal. The Wildcats scored 24 points from those while the Sixers had just five offensive boards themselves and lost the overall battle on the glass by 18.

Daniel Johnson top-scored for Adelaide in his old hometown for 19 points and eight rebounds with Tony Crocker scoring 13 points and Jack McVeigh 12 to go with four rebounds and three assists.

Daniel Dillon had a season-high 11 points and two assists with Brandon Paul finishing with eight points and five assists, Sunday Dech eight points and two steals, Brendan Teys four points, Keanu Pinder four points and three rebounds, and Jack Purchase three points.

Sixers coach Connor Henry said his side’s effort was commendable considering how ‘battered and bruised’ the side was at present but also praised Cotton for his performance.

"We competed really hard, that’s something that isn’t written about enough," Henry said.

"We hang in and hang in but get worn down. We give up 23 offensive rebounds and 24 second chance points so that is a lot of possessions to make up so we have to get healthy and continue to give our best effort every time we get out to play."

The 36ers now have some time back in Adelaide before heading up to Cairns to face the Taipans next Sunday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 10

ADELAIDE 36ERS 82 (Johnson 19, Crocker 13, McVeigh 12) 

PERTH WILDCATS 92 (Cotton 36, Norton 13, Mooney 11)

BOX SCORE 

Game highlights - https://www.clipro.tv/player/?publishJobID=ZEZpTmhQaE5kRDdaRmYveXFhWUlJQT09

Adelaide 36ers press conference - https://www.clipro.tv/player/?publishJobID=YWxab0dVRTRXb0dIRThzYlhwL2hXUT09

ADELAIDE 36ers UP AND COMING GAMES ARE:

Sunday, 28 March, 4:30pm (ACDT), Adelaide 36ers v Cairns Taipans, Cairns Pop Up Arena

Round 12- 14 will be announced Tuesday at 11:30am ACST.

Hungry Jack's NBL21 games are broadcast live on SBS, ESPN, and SKY Sports (NZ).