I have no memory: Bryce Cotton blown away by crazy win

Adelaide 36ers star Bryce Cotton has labelled his team’s dramatic 95-94 win over the Wildcats at RAC Arena as the craziest game he’s ever been a part of and one that will sit on top of the list.

Bryce Cotton controls the ball during the NBL match between the Perth Wildcats and Adelaide 36ers at RAC Arena.Credit: Getty Images

A sold-out crowd of 13,661 turned up at RAC Arena on Sunday to watch Cotton’s first match in Perth since his shock switch to Adelaide at the end of last season.

The Wildcats were on track for an easy victory after opening a 21-point lead with less than five minutes remaining in the third quarter, and still led 78-60 at three-quarter time.

An Adelaide win looked highly unlikely with the deficit standing at 12 points with just three minutes remaining.

But in a remarkable comeback, the visitors whittled the margin back down to single figures, and when Cotton nailed a three-pointer with just 62 seconds remaining, the gap was just four points.

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Wildcats import Kristian Doolittle was handed a tech foul a short time later, gifting Cotton three free throws instead of two.

Cotton nailed all three to close the gap to one point with 38 seconds remaining.

On the next play, Adelaide centre Isaac Humphries produced a huge block on Wildcats guard David Duke to win back possession, and Flynn Cameron scored the go-ahead lay-up with 15 seconds to go.

Perth had one final chance to win it - but Doolittle’s three-point attempt as time expired missed.

Cotton, who finished with 21 points, 12 assists and three steals, was mobbed by his teammates after the match.

There was plenty of adoration for Cotton from the fans both before and during the match.

“We have regrets Bryce,” read one sign, in reference to the Wildcats’ decision to rush Cotton into making a decision about his future at the end of last season.

“We miss you Bryce” and “King of the Jungle, thank you Bryce” were others.

Cotton, who won three titles and five NBL MVPs at the Wildcats, grew emotional as the crowd chanted “MVP” and gave him a standing ovation while a tribute video was played before the match.

“It caught me off guard ... just hearing the cheers from the fans,” Cotton said.

“I’ve always said, the city of Perth, I’ve got nothing but love for, and the coaches and my old teammates, I’ve got nothing but love for them.”

The win lifted Adelaide (13-3) to the top of the ladder, while Perth (9-7) were left to rue the one that got away.

“I talked to the team about ... let alone basketball, life has moments where you get tested, right?” Wildcats coach John Rillie said.

“So you live and learn and you move on.”

Humphries was huge for Adelaide with 28 points, but it was his late block that will go down as his major highlight of the match.

For Perth, Jo Lual-Acuil scored 19 points, Doolittle tallied 17 and Duke 13.

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