IN A classic instalment of the National Basketball League (NBL), the Adelaide 36ers remarkably overcame a 20-point fourth-quarter deficit in one of the comebacks of the season and defeat the Perth Wildcats.

In one of the most anticipated clashes in recent memory, five-time MVP and all-time great Bryce Cotton returned to RAC Arena for the first time after spectacularly departing the Wildcats for the Sixers over the off-season. The greatest Perth Wildcats player in club history, the team from out west suffered a big blow when he left, and would have been eager to welcome him back as a rival.

It looked as if Perth was going to get its revenge on Sunday afternoon, leading most of the match and sitting with a heavy buffer during the final frame. However, the visitors were able to pull off one of the most astounding comebacks of the modern era, storming home for their star point guard and claiming a thrilling one-point win, with Flynn Cameron the hero.

Perth Wildcats (94) def. by Adelaide 36ers (95)

Following a tribute to Cotton, which drew ‘MVP’ chants from the crowd at RAC Arena, the point guard stepped into a playmaking role for his new side, dishing out three assists early in the match. However, Perth’s balance on the offensive end has been a big positive this season, and came to the fore as the home side led by three points at the opening change.

The second frame belonged to the Wildcats, who continued to find plenty of production from several avenues in what has been their recipe to success this season. The starting unit was proving damaging on the scoring front, and the Sixers were struggling to keep up, trailing by 10 points at half time as the Wildcats got the game on their terms heading into the main change.

It was more of the same in the third frame, with the Wildcats continuing to build on their lead and get plenty of support from the crowd. Adelaide was struggling to get enough stops to get itself back in the contest, as Perth outscored the opposition 28-20 in the penultimate quarter. At the final change, the Wildcats led by 18, and looked in a strong position to cruise home to victory.

Despite trailing by as much as 21 points, the Sixers were not throwing in the towel, and dragged themselves back into contention. Dejan Vasiljevic and Isaac White both knocked down three-pointers, before Cotton began to have his say at the charity stripe. Adelaide went on a game-breaking 19-2 run to draw within one point in the final minute.

Perth import David Duke Jr. had his shot swatted at the rim by Sixers center Isaac Humphries in a seriously clutch play to give Adelaide the chance to win it. Down the other end, Cotton was denied the ball, so Cameron took the responsibility upon himself and split the defence to get a good look at the rim, nailing the layup which was the game-winning basket to cap off the comeback.

Cotton finished the match with 21 points and 12 assists in a vintage performance from the all-time great, who ended up departing RAC Arena with a sweet win, as demonstrated by his emotion on the final buzzer. He was able to work his way into the game nicely and lead Adelaide to victory as he did for Perth so many times in the past.

Humphries delivered an outstanding performance in his own right with 28 points on 13/15 shooting and three blocks, which included one of the most important plays of the game, while Zylan Cheatham continued his high-level of play with 20 points, five boards, eight dimes and two steals to be a heavy contributor as well.

Although he missed the game-winning shot on the buzzer, Perth’s Kristian Doolittle was still a heavy influence on the game, finishing with 17 points, 11 rebounds and six assists, while big man Jo Lual-Acuil was impressive with 19 points of his own, which was the most of any Wildcats player.

The win puts the Sixers on top of the ladder following a pair of losses to Melbourne United in Round 11, with Adelaide well placed to begin the second half of the fixture.