NBL27 R8 Match Report | Wildcats vs Taipans

Perth cut a 12-point three-quarter-time deficit to five midway through the final term, with Cairns finding timely answers down the stretch to secure a 100–92 win.

Elijah Pepper led the Wildcats with 26 points, including 12 in the fourth quarter, while Kristian Doolittle added 20. Jack McVeigh scored 36 for the visitors, with Jaylon Brown contributing 22.

The Wildcats started with Jaron Rillie and Alex Higgins-Titsha alongside Pepper, Doolittle and Dylan Windler.

After McVeigh hit two early triples, Pepper supplied eight of Perth’s first nine points to give the Wildcats a narrow advantage.

Rillie followed with a three-point play and Doolittle’s turnaround jumper put Perth up 14–13 midway through the opening term.

Cairns found its range from outside, with Jesse Wagstaff and Pepper answering from deep to keep the Wildcats close. Doolittle completed another three-point play late in the quarter, with Jonah Bolden’s triple giving the visitors a 31–27 lead at the first break.

Cameron Huefner opened the second term with two free throws to bring Perth within two, before Cairns stretched the margin to seven.

Windler and Rillie responded with consecutive baskets, prompting a Taipans timeout as the Wildcats closed to 36–33.

McVeigh and Shaun Bruce then connected from outside to extend Cairns’ lead to nine. Perth continued to find opportunities through Pepper’s work on the offensive glass and Doolittle’s defence, with a steal and driving finish helping keep the scoreboard moving.

Windler added consecutive baskets and found Doolittle for a dunk, while Wagstaff’s driving layup brought Perth within four late in the half. Two Doolittle free throws left the Wildcats trailing 53–48 at the main break.

Cairns created separation early in the third quarter through Brown and McVeigh, pushing the margin to 13.

Huefner answered with a triple, then Wagstaff finished inside and Windler connected from deep to bring Perth back within seven.

McVeigh supplied another five points late in the term as Cairns took a 77–65 advantage into the final quarter.

Wagstaff opened the fourth with an offensive rebound and putback, while Doolittle added five points to lift Perth’s attack. Pepper’s layup then cut the deficit to 79–74 with six minutes remaining.

Pinder and Bruce responded to restore Cairns’ double-figure lead, with the Wildcats finding another lift through Anthony Dell’Orso’s three-point play.

Wagstaff followed with a triple to force a Taipans timeout, and Pepper’s free throws brought Perth within six at 87–81.

Cairns answered through Malique Lewis and Bruce, whose layup and three-pointer pushed the margin back to 12 inside the final two minutes.

Pepper scored Perth’s final 10 points, including two late triples, as the Wildcats pushed to the finish in the 100–92 result.

BOX SCORES

Perth Wildcats

• Elijah Pepper: 26 points, three rebounds, two assists.
• Kristian Doolittle: 20 points, eight rebounds, four assists, three steals.
• Jesse Wagstaff: 14 points, four rebounds, two assists.

Cairns Taipans

• Jack McVeigh: 36 points, six rebounds, four assists, three steals.
• Jaylon Brown: 22 points, five assists, three steals.
• Shaun Bruce: 14 points, two rebounds, two assists.