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Cotton's record-breaking haul lifts Wildcats to NBL win over NZ Breakers
Steve Barrett, AAP • December 1st, 2024 10:10 pm
Photo: Richard Wainwright/AAP
Bryce Cotton added to his growing legend by breaking the NBL's individual scoring record in the modern 40-minute era, pouring in 59 points to help the Perth Wildcats defeat the New Zealand Breakers 123-112.
Cotton received a standing ovation from an RAC Arena season-best 12,505 fans on Sunday after pouring in 20 points in the opening quarter, 11 in the second, 17 in the third and 11 in the fourth.
The four-time league MVP hit 18 of 28 from the field, 7 of 15 from three-point range and 16 of 17 from the foul line, while also adding seven assists.
"He (Cotton) was in a great groove," Perth coach John Rillie said.
"You could see the flow and momentum in the first quarter, then in the second quarter.
"When you have an elite shotmaker like that, it's beautiful to watch."
Cotton surpassed the previous modern-day mark of 51 points - set by Brisbane import James Batemon against the Wildcats a fortnight ago - and threatened the all-time 40-minute mark of 63 points set by the late Reg Biddings for Forestville against Bankstown in 1981.
The all-time record is 71 points by West Adelaide's Al Green in 1984, when games lasted 48 minutes.
Cotton also moved past the long-standing club record of 57 points set by James Crawford in 1987, while Perth's team score was their highest in the modern 40-minute era.
"It was pretty surreal," Cotton said when interviewed by long-time former teammate Damian Martin postgame.
"(I was) very focused.
"That month I was out (with a rib injury) felt like a long time, so it just feels good to get my legs back under me.
"I'll probably check my phone and talk to my family back in Tucson - that's when it will set in."
"This is one for the books, for sure."
Cotton's masterclass outshone an equal career-high 34 points from the Breakers' league MVP favourite Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who also had 10 assists.
Cotton's brilliance also overshadowed a pair of key NZ injuries.
Giant 229cm centre Tacko Fall, playing his second NBL game, hurt his left knee while boxing out in the second quarter, after forward Dane Pineau sustained a suspected meniscus injury to his left knee in the first term.
Cotton piloted Perth to a 42-point opening stanza, the highest by any team in five years. He had 31 at halftime and the Wildcats had 69, the most by any side this season.
All eyes were on Cotton's tally as the margin ballooned to 23 points before Jackson-Cartwright and Sam Mennenga (25 points) led a spirited Breakers fightback, outscoring Perth 37-24 for the third term and trimming the deficit to six points early in the fourth.
Cotton drilled a three to stop the rot, raise his first career half-century and have the Wildcats purring again.
"First half we were really bad; second half we really showed character and I'm proud of the way the guys responded," Breakers coach Petteri Koponen said.
"As a coach you go crazy on the sideline but as a basketball fan it was one of the most unbelievable games I have witnessed."
