Wildcats’ three-point blitz stops 36ers

An opening half three-point blitz has lifted the Perth Wildcats to a 112-97 win against Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena on Saturday night.

As the roof opened for the first time in NBL history in Perth, import power forward Brady Manek sparked the Wildcats, who connected on nine of their first 11 three-pointers, to enjoy the 15-point success.

Manek was unstoppable and got the hot hand early, scoring 23 points and grabbing 10 rebounds, while Bryce Cotton added 23 points with five rebounds and four assists.

Robert Franks played a lone hand for the 36ers and continued his great form from Thursday night, scoring a team-high 25 points to go with five rebounds and three assists.

The 36ers, coming off of Thursday night’s 98-82 loss to Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart, started tentatively but Franks found Kai Sotto for two alley oops to steady the side.

After a strong start, Sotto picked up two early fouls and the Wildcats went on an 11-2 run to open up a 20-13 lead.

Cotton, who went into the contest under an injury cloud, had 12 opening quarter points and the 36ers missed their first eight three-point attempts as the hosts built a 32-17 lead at the first break.

Anthony Drmic and Cleveland scored the first two baskets of the second quarter, but Brady Manek’s hot night continued, swishing his third triple.

Manek then connected on his fourth three-pointer, with a Franks foul, then Cotton was found on the fast break for a dunk and the Wildcats had a 45-26 lead.

A fifth three-pointer from Manek had the Perth lead beyond 20 points, but then Robert Franks came alive, scoring 17 second quarter points to keep the Adelaide scoreboard ticking over.

Corey Webster (17 points, five assists) then found the basket, Manek continued his opening half hot form and the Wildcats held a 67-46 lead at the main break.

Adelaide lifted their intensity to start the third quarter, Antonius Cleveland (23 points, five rebounds, four assists) attacked the hoop at will, but the 36ers couldn’t finish off the good work under the basket.

Cotton brought the home crowd to life just as quick as the 36ers started to quieten the Red Army, the Webster brothers hitting back-to-back three-pointers and the lead increased to 84-57.

Manek failed to score in the third quarter, but the home side found more avenues to the hoop through Tai Webster (10 points, seven assists) and took a 92-63 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Franks started the final quarter with his fifth three-pointer, put picked up two quick fouls to end his night early.

Captain Mitch McCarron tried gallantly all evening, scoring 14 points, while Daniel Johnson added 10 points to go with four rebounds.

Manek finished his night off with a dunk and Adelaide will now have to bounce back quickly, with an assignment in Brisbane against the Bullets on Thursday night.

PERTH WILDCATS 112 (Manek 23, Cotton 23, C. Webster 17) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 97 (Franks 25, Cleveland 23, McCarron 14) at RAC Arena, Perth.

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