Nick Kay's second 15 point haul for the weekend has helped the Perth Wildcats overcome an eight point fourth quarter deficit to defeat Melbourne United 95-93 at Melbourne Arena on Sunday and bounce back from Friday night's loss to the Cairns Taipans.
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After being the Cats' equal top pointscorer in the 99-76 loss to the Taipans, Kay again had a strong all court presence, picking up eight rebounds and three assists to go with his 15 points.
It has been an impressive start to the season for the Tamworth export.
He currently leads the way for the Cats' for rebounds per game (7), assists per game (7) and steals per game (3) and is third for points per game (18).
On Sunday, after the Perth side took the lead with 30 seconds remaining, United tied the game, before it all came down to Bryce Cotton.
With 24 seconds to work with and Melo Trimble guarding him, the 2018 NBL MVP pulled up at the top of the arc and banked a long two - winning it for the Wildcats.
Cotton said it's about patience in those situations.
"When we set the screen I was just trying to read the defence to see if they were going to trap, if I had to pass the ball early, but once I saw they didn't, I just wanted to take my time and try to get a good shot," he said.
"Fortunately, I was able to get one to fall."
The game was closely contested throughout, and the two teams went into the half separated by two points.
A 9-2 Wildcats run in the third gave them the advantage but a big Melbourne push in the final quarter saw them turn the game around, building an eight point lead in the process.
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The Wildcats clawed their way back to tie the game with a minute to work with.
After a seven-point first half, Cotton finished 27 points, five rebounds and two assists.
The two teams rebounded fairly evenly, but the Wildcats won the assists battle and doubled Melbourne's steals tally.
"The guys locked in today and a couple of times the game might have seen out of reach, but we just stayed in it. That's the toughness that you need," said coach Trevor Gleeson.
"It's pleasing that while we're still developing and still building that we can get these early wins."
The Wildcats' next assignment is against South East Melbourne in the annual Pink Game for breast cancer on Friday night.