Bryce Cotton lit it up, Alex Sarr continued to show his potential and Jordan Usher was exciting as the Perth Wildcats beat the NBA G League Ignite 127-112 in Las Vegas.

The Wildcats wrapped up their two-game trip to Las Vegas ahead of the NBL Blitz starting next weekend and before the NBL24 season, by bouncing back from Wednesday night's 124-105 defeat at the hands of some of the NBA's brightest prospects on the G League Ignite team.

The two teams did it all again at The Dollar Loan Centre on Friday night and the 'Cats were on song right from the outset, with three-time NBL MVP Bryce Cotton showing the way in spectacular fashion.

The triple championship winner put up 19 points in the first half alone and with Jordan Usher and Next Star Alexandre Sarr combining for another 27 as well, the Wildcats put on an offensive show to be leading 71-52 at half-time.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Bryce Cotton had everyone fooled with this dime ?<br><br>Watch via NBA TV / NBA App ? <a href="https://t.co/wwFv4RHcwo">pic.twitter.com/wwFv4RHcwo</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1700338016668287451?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

While the 71 points was exciting, some of the defensive work against some of the best athletes who will soon be in the NBA was even more encouraging. Especially the work of Sarr to not only use his length and size around the rim, but to also show he's nimble and quick enough to guard out on the perimeter.

The 'Cats were able to keep it going as well after setting up the game in the opening half and while the G League Ignite did outscore them 51 points to 47 in the second half, Perth was able to cruise to an impressive 15-point victory.

There was plenty to like in the performance from Perth, including shooting at 39/77 from the floor at 50.6 per cent, along with 15/29 at 51.7 per cent from behind the three-point line, while getting to the foul line for 34/39.

RELATED: SARR SHINES IN 'CATS FIRST HIT OUT WITH G LEAGUE IGNITE

What Cotton delivered was a stark reminder of what he is still going to be capable of with the Wildcats this season both by running the team, and being that pure scorer. 

He topped his 19 points in the first half with another 21 in the second to end the game with 40 points, six assists and five rebounds on the back of shooting 12/19 from the floor, 8/10 from downtown and 8/8 at the foul line.

Unlike at times last season in the NBL, he had plenty of help too and it was Sarr who was exciting at both ends of the floor for a second night in Vegas. He produced 26 points, 10 rebounds, six blocks and three assists, and those numbers even undersell what he did.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alexandre Sarr getting it done on both ends in the fourth quarter ?<br><br>Watch via NBA TV / NBA App ? <a href="https://t.co/QiZVPwPtpV">pic.twitter.com/QiZVPwPtpV</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1700346678501613573?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

New Wildcats import Jordan Usher showed what an astute signing he is going to be too, with 24 points, four rebounds and three assists on 9/15 shooting, with 3/6 from behind the three-point arc.

Rookie Ben Henshall, fresh off his time at the Centre of Excellence, also showed he could put himself in Rookie of the Year running, with 16 points, three rebounds and three assists. There were further good signs with Keanu Pinder suiting up and starting, and having five points, six boards and two assists.

The quality of the opposition made the performance even more impressive from the Wildcats with Matas Buzelis and Ronald Holland widely expected to be the top two NBA draft picks in 2024.

Holland delivered another 33 points, six rebounds and five steals for the G League Ignite while Buzelis finished with 17 points and four rebounds.

London Johnson also had 14 points and five assists, Izan Almansa 13 points and four rebounds, and Eric Mika 10 points and three boards.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Alexandre Sarr with the big block on fellow NBA Draft prospect, Ron Holland ??<br><br>Watch via NBA TV / NBA App ? <a href="https://t.co/b8EzfvJKnu">pic.twitter.com/b8EzfvJKnu</a></p>&mdash; NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1700325913345630274?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 9, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

The Wildcats will now prepare for the NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast with their first game next Sunday afternoon against the Cairns Taipans.

NBA G LEAGUE FALL INVITATIONAL – GAME 2

NBA G LEAGUE INVITE 112 (Holland 33, Buzelis 17, Johnson 14)
PERTH WILDCATS 127 (Cotton 40, Sarr 26, Usher 24) 

BOX SCORE