VMT MATCH REPORT: Creek and Cotton Shootout as Wildcats Take Victory

The roof remained closed for Perth’s annual open-air game due to Wild West weather, but that did not stop the Wildcats raining down on the Phoenix.

A good old-fashioned shootout was a highlight for the game between MVP contenders and captains Mitch Creek (36 points) and Bryce Cotton (34 points) as they combined to a 70-point game. 

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Creek getting to work! ?<br><br>1??4?? points so far for the captain!<br><br>? ESPN ?? Kayo | Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/WTOYueQNxz">pic.twitter.com/WTOYueQNxz</a></p>&mdash; South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) <a href="https://twitter.com/SEMelbPhoenix/status/1746106039865622685?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 13, 2024</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

While plenty of close attention was paid to Cotton, his domination couldn’t be minimised as the MVP-favourite continued his red-hot form, ably assisted by Tai Webster who also stepped up, recording 20 points.

Import Abdel Nader may have suited up but did not hit the court as he returned from the hand injury.

In his first year as a roster player, Owen Foxwell (eight points) got his first NBL start in his third season at the club, Ben Ayre coming off the bench after battling illness throughout the week.

There was a glimmer of hope in the third quarter for the Phoenix charging back and reducing the buffer to single digits.

But that didn’t stop the Wildcats; the Phoenix fourth quarter woes continued, losing the last term 30-18 as the hosts ran away with victory.

The Phoenix have lost their last six games as they drop to seventh on the ladder.

The Phoenix now have a four-day break before playing their first home game for 2024 in the Heartland at the State Basketball Centre against the Adelaide 36ers on Wednesday.

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Full-Time Stats

Creek: 36p/7r/1stl

Williams: 12p/10r/1stl/2blks

Ayre: 10p/2r/4a/1stl

Foxwell: 8p/1r/1a/1stl/1blk

Gak: 6p/11r/1a

Te Rangi: 4p/3r/1a

Rosendale: 2p/1r

Stattmann: 1p/1r

Kenyon: 7r/2a

Vague: 2r

Under 100 Platinum seats remain for Wednesday's game at SBC against the 36ers. CLICK HERE to ecure yours now.