Perth have claimed the 2018-19 NBL championship, defeating Melbourne United 97-84 to seal a 3-1 grand final series victory. After taking a 2-1 lead with Friday night’s 96-67 victory in Perth, the visitors wrapped up the best-of-five series thanks to a dynamic performance from import guard Bryce Cotton on Sunday afternoon at Melbourne Arena.
A championship winner and grand final MVP in 2017, Cotton scored 28 points as the Wildcats secured a record ninth NBL crown. In a game full of momentum swings, the Wildcats led 53-45 at half-time and held the home side to 12 points in the third quarter to set up the franchise’s fourth title in six seasons.
“We peaked at the right time,” Perth coach Trevor Gleeson said as his side celebrated a title-clinching win on the road. “It was really telling out there on the court how we played as a team and shared the ball, making the extra pass and had each other’s back defensively, so it was pretty pleasing.”
Terrico White added 20 points for the Wildcats and Nick Kay finished with 12 points and 10 rebounds. White was awarded the Larry Sengstock medal as the grand final MVP, finishing with averages of 21.8 points, 6.8 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game. Casper Ware led United’s scoring with 18 points, while Chris Goulding and David Barlow each added 15.
“We fought in that fourth quarter and never gave up,” Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman said after his squad’s title defence came to an end. “The extra possessions they get through (offensive) boards, how well they shot the three-ball during the course of the series … credit to them, they did a good job.”
Cotton and White combined for 17 first-quarter points as the Wildcats jumped out to an eight-point lead, but United closed with a 10-0 run to finish the term ahead 28-26. United scored the first six points of the second quarter to extend their lead but Perth came roaring back as Cotton’s offensive firepower triggered a 12-0 run to establish a double-digit lead. Late baskets to Ware and Goulding reduced Perth’s advantage to 53-45 by halftime and an 8-0 start to the third quarter allowed the home side level the game. But the Wildcats outscored United 15-4 the rest of the way to start the final quarter ahead 68-57.
Tensions boiled over in the third quarter with DJ Kennedy and Tom Jervis each picking up an unsportsmanlike foul after a tough challenge from the Perth centre on Mitch McCarron. Mitch Norton punished a Melbourne turnover to open the final term and, while Goulding nailed a three-pointer to give his side a glimmer of hope, Cotton answered back from long range to end Melbourne’s quest for back-to-back championships.