The Perth Wildcats unveiled their new-found depth and sent a clear statement to the league with a 99-91 victory over the Adelaide 36ers.

The Wildcats made significant changed to their list in the off-season and brought in younger players with international experience to assist the stalwarts who led to the club to multiple championships.

Starting with three members of Australia’s World Cup qualifying squad on the bench, Perth had too much firepower for the 36ers.

Nick Kay was outstanding in his first game for the club. The former Illawarra star scored 18 points and won eight rebounds.

Tom Jervis fouled out but still scored 12 points and had seven rebounds.

Import Terrico White also impressed with 20 points while Bryce Cotton scored 22 points, including 19 in the second half.

White struggled with his shooting during Perth’s NBA pre-season but stepped up when it mattered.

“Terrico can flat-out play the game,” Cotton said.

“It was just a matter of time. Now he’s starting to get the ball rolling and he’s figured out his role with the team. He looked great out here and this is the first regular season game. This is when it matters.”

The Wildcats showed enormous character after spending more than two weeks on the road.

A third quarter disaster threatened to cost them victory. Perth led by 15 points midway through that period and looked set to charge to victory, but the 36ers had other ideas and took the lead late in the quarter.

Adelaide then led broke clear by four points early in the final quarter before Cotton stepped up to convert crucial shots.

Adelaide had won their last nine games at home and hadn’t lost to a visiting team since Christmas Eve. The 36ers won the NBL Blitz and team performed strongly against the Utah Jazz during their one NBA pre-season game.

Utah smashed Perth by 58 points but the Wildcats hit back against Denver and trailed by only one point during the third quarter before losing by eight points.

Cotton said the Utah loss had provided key lessons for the team.

“They definitely handed ourselves to us,” Cotton said.

“I think that was the biggest blessing in disguise for us. We really had to dig down and figure out what Perth basketball is about again.”

The win was even more significant given captain Damian Martin spent less than 20 minutes on the court and Angus Brandt was restricted to less than eight minutes in his return from an ankle injury.

Every Wildcat scored in a sign that they will be able to rely on their bench this season.

The Wildcats will return to Perth today and host their first home game of the season against the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday.