Cotton lifts Sixers over Hawks

Bryce Cotton played through second half tears, but still had 31 points and 13 assists as the Adelaide 36ers came from nine points down to heap some more pain on the defending champions, beating the Illawarra Hawks 97-85.

The Hawks were looking to bounce back from a disappointing loss to the Sydney Kings at home on Sunday and did start well in Wednesday's Ignite Cup by Disney+ match up at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

They led by as much as nine points in the second quarter and were up 49-44 still by half-time, but the 36ers took charge in the second half with Cotton leading the way despite being noticeably distressed after returning to the locker room briefly.

He continued to play like only he can to have 31 points, 13 assists, three rebounds and two steals with 6/10 three-point shooting with the Sixers winning the second half 53 to 36 to improve to 10-3 on the season.

Coach Mike Wells confirmed post-match that it was a bout of nausea hampering Cotton but after he went scoreless in the first quarter, he lasered in for a standout last three quarters with zero turnovers.

In the third period, Cotton feasted on the defence of Hawks development player Johny Narkle with his footwork, shooting yet another three through Narkle's foul on a four-point play then stepping around him for a deep two.

Cotton's combination with 36ers centre Isaac Humphries was particularly valuable and helped the big man to outshine his opposite centre - three-time NBA champion JaVale McGee.

Humphries finished with 22 points and nine rebounds on 11/16 field goal shooting while McGee had his toughest NBL night to date with 12 points, 10 rebounds and four blocks on 4/18 shooting.

Cotton dished up three assists to Humphries in the third quarter alone, notably popping the ball up for the big man to land a two-handed dunk through the lane.

With Cotton in fine touch, the Sixers finished the third term on a 10-2 run that handed the hosts a lead they never surrendered.

A particular highlight came in the final two minutes of the game as Cotton sent a long pass into the key for a flying Zylan Cheatham to throw down an alley-oop.

Cheatham also had another 12 points, eight rebounds and seven assists for the 36ers with Flynn Cameron adding 11 points, and second-game import Troy Brown Jr five points, two rebounds and two blocks in just over 19 minutes.

The Hawks are now 4-8 as reigning champs with newly arrived import QJ Peterson finishing with 19 points on 5/7 three-point shooting, with his best work done in the first half while Tyler Harvey had 21 points, and Davo Hickey 12 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.

In a moment of late drama, referees ejected Sixers import Nick Rakocevic for leaving the bench and entering the court during a fracas between McGee and Cheatham.

But by that point, the result was beyond doubt.

The Hawks have the quick turnaround back at home with another Championship Series rematch with Melbourne United on Friday while the 36ers will be away to the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 - IGNITE CUP PRESENTED BY DISNEY+

ADELAIDE 36ERS 97 (Cotton 31, Humphries 22, Cheatham 12)

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 85 (Harvey 21, Peterson 19, McGee 12, Hickey 12)

BOX SCORE