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Bryce Cotton, Vic Law star as Perth Wildcats down Illawarra for a second-consecutive time this week

Headshot of Craig O'Donoghue
Craig O'DonoghueThe West Australian
Perth Wildcats star Vic Law drives to the basket.
Camera IconPerth Wildcats star Vic Law drives to the basket. Credit: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

The Perth Wildcats have beaten Illawarra for the second time in less than a week and yet again it has been their superstars who have led the way.

The dynamic duo of Bryce Cotton and Vic Law were unstoppable. Cotton scored 28 points and Law finished with 24 as Perth won 94-80.

Cotton ran wild during the second quarter and had words with the Illawarra bench as they desperately searched for ways to stop him. His game included three three-pointers, six rebounds and two assists.

Law had only six points at half-time but once he got on a roll, Illawarra couldn’t guard him.

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The Wildcats biggest names have been a class above all season and their ability to dominate at different periods of the same game has left opposition teams scratching their heads looking for answers.

“We play what’s in front of us,” Cotton said.

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Vic Law puts down a one-handed dunk.
Camera IconVic Law puts down a one-handed dunk. Credit: Jason McCawley/Getty Images

“If you have two guys in front of you, there’s probably a good chance somebody else is open so you’ve just got to find the open man. Luckily we’ve got unselfish players. These past few games we have had different spurts for different players who are rolling and I think that’s just a testament to how unselfish we are as a team.

“It was a typical Vic performance. He’s gelling very well. He makes big shots when we need it and the one thing I like about him is he plays both ends just as hard.”

Todd Blanchfield was also fantastic off the bench with 14 points and big man Matt Hodgson produced four blocks.

Perth went some way to fixing their poor starts by only trailing by one point at quarter time.

The Hawks still opened up and eight point lead in the first period, but couldn’t continue with that momentum.

“If you’re Scott Morrison you are thinking if we get off to a good start, we win this by 20-plus,” commentator Peter Hooley said.

“They have weapons everywhere.”

Antonius Cleveland lit up the game early and he was clearly Illawarra’s best player. Cleveland scored 22 points, had seven rebounds, three steals and three blocks.

Justinian Jessup scored 17 points and Tyler Harvey finished with 16.

Wildcats vice-captain Mitch Norton received an accidental elbow to the face during the first quarter but still played for 22 minutes and didn’t suffer any injury.

The Wildcats will now head to Sydney on Sunday to face the Kings

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