Wells proud of Sixers’ “unwavering commitment to win” in remarkable Perth result

Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Mike Wells has described Sunday’s incredible comeback win over Perth as his best at the club.

The Sixers trailed by 20 points in the last quarter before an amazing 19-2 scoring run which culminated in Flynn Cameron driving to the basket to put the side in front.

From there a Kristian Doolittle three-point attempt fell short, leaving Adelaide 95-94 winners.

While admitting the last quarter was “kinda blurry”, Wells had clarity on the significance of the win, which takes Adelaide to the top of the Hungry Jack’s NBL.

“I kept saying maybe even starting in the third quarter because it was such a slow game that we’ve got to play faster,” Wells said in his post-match press conference.

“You know, it's like hurry up-type stuff, and then, you know, at some point you've got to make some threes and you've got to make some plays and you got to get a little lucky.

“And, you know, I think all of those things happened.

“I thought we were unwavering in our commitment to try to win and our ability to compete and try to do the right things as hard as it was out there.”

In front of a raucous crowd of 13,661 at Perth’s RAC Arena, a record for a regular season match at the venue, the Sixers found it hard to build any real consistency in the game until the last quarter, but there was no sign of any weariness despite having just a day and a half rest following Friday night’s win over Brisbane and the interstate travel .

The win ends a run of seven straight losses to the Wildcats, dating back to October 2023 and makes it six wins in a row for the Sixers ahead of a top of the table match up with Melbourne United in Adelaide on Friday night.

“I only want (to be top of the ladder) at the end (of the seasonto be honest with you,” Wells said of his 13-3 Sixers, coincidentally the same number of regular season wins the group had for all of NBL25.

“I love where we're at. I love what this group has done, because I think it's important for us to learn how to win.

“You have to learn how to win in these close games.. so when we get into elimination games, road games, that we've gone through a thing like this where I can say, "Man, we were down a whole bunch with eight minutes to play, and we went on a 31 to 14 run. They didn't score over the last 1:45.

“You know, it was a 19-2 closing run. All those stats, right? We're building in real time, and that's what we have to do.

“I've always said, we want to be in a position to win an elimination game by like game 27.

“I think we're building to that point, so I'm really not worried about the ladder right now, although I'd rather be at the top than at the bottom.”

While a lot of the attention pre-game was on what kind of reception Bryce Cotton would receive from the Perth faithful on his first return since switching clubs, a respectful video tribute before tip off set the scene for a welcome return.

He took a little while to get going but with a last second lay-up kept the Sixers within three points at the first break and had seven first-period points himself.

The Wildcats extended the margin to 14 points during the second period on the back of some class by Kristian Doolittle and some desperate defending.

Isaac Humphries appeared the only definite path to the basket for the visitors and he added 14 points for the period as the Sixers fell 10 points behind at the main break.

Wells tried various rotations but the Sixers found scoring hard to come by in the third and when the margin was at 20 in the last quarter, it seemed like hope was lost.

But it seemed nobody told the Sixers. Isaac White and DJ Vasiljevic joined Cotton with some big scores to bring the margin into single figures.

Still seven points down with 66 seconds to play, the Sixers were well served by defensive efforts by Isaac Humphries and Flynn Cameron, who then went down the other end and when it seemed easier to give the ball to Cotton, drove himself to the basket for the winning score.

Wells was proud of his whole line-up but saved special praise for Cotton, in what was an emotion-charged return to Perth.

“It is such a special thing to have a player like this,” Wells said of the five-time NBL MVP. “And he's playing a new position for me. He's a point guard now.”

“In 21 points, he had 12 assists, (and) he had one turnover guys.

“We had four turnovers as a team. We went 30 assists and four turnovers. That's the kind of stuff you have to have on the road.

“We didn't play well for a long time, and then you’ve got to have a special player, make special plays.

“Bryce is one of the most unselfish superstars and that's what triggers that locker room and our culture.”

The Sixers return home for a blockbuster match up next against Melbourne United on Friday night.