Perth Wildcats have continued their current dominance over Cairns Taipans with a cushty 105-83 victory to increase their present successful streak to 4 video games.
Bryce Cotton scored on Perth’s opening possession and the guests by no means trailed for the remainder of Tuesday evening’s conflict at Cairns Convention Centre to make a significant assertion with their ninth win of the season.
Cotton top-scored for Perth with 24 factors whereas TaShawn Thomas completed the evening with 22 factors, 12 rebounds and 6 assists because the Wildcats defeated the Taipans for the tenth straight time.
Thomas dominated the primary half with 16 factors and the Wildcats nullified Cairns linchpin Keanu Pinder to move into the primary break with a 55-40 lead.
After falling behind by 18 early within the third interval, the house facet mounted a powerful comeback with a run of 14 unanswered factors however Perth unleashed a three-point barrage to revive their benefit and break the Taipans’ resolve.
American import Thomas was happy after producing his finest recreation for the Wildcats after lacking the early a part of the season with an ankle damage.
“Now I didn’t even know it was like that but, you know, I’m just glad the hard work’s been paying off,” Thomas informed ESPN after serving to Perth win the rebounding rely for the primary time all season (37-36).
“I’ve been working all year to try to bounce back from my injury early in the season so it’s paying off now.”
The evening didn’t begin effectively for the house facet with guard Shannon Scott needing therapy after rolling his ankle whereas Perth’s tenacity resulted in six Cairns turnovers whereas including 11 second-chance factors off the again of 5 offensive rebounds.
Ben Ayre got here off the bench to drill three triples for the Taipans however a late bucket to Thomas capped a 10-point quarter and put Perth forward 27-17.
Cairns appeared to get Pinder extra concerned after the younger gun was held scoreless within the opening time period however Brady Manek began heating up and Cotton closed the half with a pair of three-pointers because the lead blew out to fifteen factors.
Luke Travers opened the second half with a protracted bomb and Cairns appeared in deep trouble with the guests up 58-40 however DJ Hogg nailed back-to-back triples and Bul Kuol added one other as a part of a 14-0 run to get the native crowd buzzing.
But Perth struck again from past the arc to revive their result in 14 by the top of the third quarter, reserve guard Michael Harris connecting on two three-pointers on his solution to a career-best 17-point haul.
The loss ended the Taipans’ three-game unbeaten run and prevented them from becoming a member of the New Zealand Breakers and Sydney Kings with an 11-5 document.
