THE Perth Wildcats’ stunning double-overtime win over Melbourne in their annual Pink Game sent a message to clubs that Bryce Cotton will no longer be the only person relied upon to be the match winner in tight finishes.

Import Terrico White stepped up to score 17 points in the final quarter and two overtime periods as the Wildcats beat the reigning champions 101-96.

Cotton has been Perth’s go-to man since arriving midway through the 2016-17 season. He won the grand final MVP that season and then claimed the NBL MVP award last season.

Wildcats coach Trevor Gleeson said White had shown he was also a man for the big occasion.

“Down the stretch, you normally have a player who wants the ball,” Gleeson said.

“We’re very lucky that Bryce is that guy. But we’ve also found T as someone who doesn’t mind having the ball.

“Some players don’t want to take that responsibility and sit back. He really stepped up when we were struggling in one avenue to score.”

White scored 27 points for the game to provide the perfect combination with Cotton who finished with a game-high 31.

Angus Brandt was heroic under the basket with a club record 20 rebounds. His ability to win offensive rebounds set the tone for the game and allowed Perth to score 26 second-chance points.

Brandt’s 12 offensive rebounds was only seven fewer than the entire Melbourne team.

“Gus was just keeping the ball alive,” Gleeson said.

“Gus was doing some hard work underneath there to give us those opportunities. He was fantastic.”

Melbourne played in quadruple overtime against Illawarra earlier this month but couldn’t repeat their victory from that night.

Captain Chris Goulding, who top scored for Melbourne with 29 points, injured his left knee with two minutes remaining in regular time after slipping on the court and took no further part in the match. Coach Dean Vickerman said he had jarred the knee and the club still wasn’t sure about the extent of the injury.

The Wildcats’ determination was typified by Mitch Norton taking two charges from Casper Ware at the end of the first overtime period.

Brandt said looking into the grandstand and seeing pink inspired everyone to new heights.

“This one means a little bit more,” Brandt said.

“It gave us a bit of inspiration down the stretch when we were trying to dig deep. We were thinking of what we’re playing for and why we are wearing pink.”

PERTH WILDCATS 101 (B Cotton 31 T White 27 A Brandt 14) MELBOURNE UNITED 96 (C Goulding 29 C Ware 21 A Pledger 10) in overtime at RAC Arena