Wildcats start season on a high

The Perth Wildcats have wasted no time getting on the board in the new NBL season scoring a 87-73 win over the Brisbane Bullets.

Bryce Cotton was instrumental in the victory sounding a warning to the remainder of the competition shooting 23-points, 12 rebounds, six steals and six assists.

It wasn't the start the Wildcats wanted early falling behind the game by 11-points only to switch on in the second securing a 24-point turn around to lead by 13-points at the main break.

Perth held the Bullets at bay during the second half to set the tone for the season keen to quickly move past the disappointment of missing the 2021/22 playoffs.

Coach John Rillie on debut said the win was reward for pre-season effort.

Cotton was quick to give praise to Rillie for the change of focus.

“(Rillie) trusted our defence and all of a sudden they kind of got our offence flowing and from there, we just locked in and it seemed like everybody was connected pretty much for most stretches of the game,” Cotton said.

“But yeah, I’m happy with how I played but I’m happy with how the team came together.”

Perth face the Illawarra Hawks next on Saturday night back at home at RAC Arena.

IMAGE: Getty Images