Wildcats bank important road win in Cairns

The Wildcats led from start to finish against a Taipans outfit that wouldn’t go away, prevailing 105-102 after just one point separated the two teams with 9.4 seconds to go.

Superstar Bryce Cotton, who hit 30-plus points for the second game in a row and fourth time this season, was cool as ice from the free-throw line late on the way to 33.

Cotton’s last two successful shots from the stripe with 9.4 seconds on the clock made it three points the margin before Sam Waardenburg missed his chance to tie the scores.

Fellow import Kristian Doolittle reeled in the most ever rebounds by a Wildcat in the 40-minute era, finishing with 16 boards to go with 17 points and three assists in a dominant display.

On his old home court at Cairns Convention Centre for the first time since crossing from the Taipans during the off-season, Keanu Pinder, who finished one rebound shy of joining Doolittle in double-double territory, was in absolutely everything early on the way to 14 points and nine rebounds.

The Wildcats’ defence stood out in the opening term as they jumped out to a 26-17 quarter-time lead as Cotton got a rare rest late after playing the entire 45 minutes against Melbourne United on Saturday.

Alex Sarr (11 points and seven rebounds) started the second quarter strongly, scoring his team’s first two buckets including a stunning two-handed jam after his fellow Next Star Bobi Klintman hit a three at the other end.

Pinder bettered Sarr’s dunking efforts midway through the quarter, flying through the air before landing a one-hander.

Doolittle quietly snuck up to a game-high 10 rebounds by half-time as Perth extended their advantage to 54-43.

Youngsters Ben Henshall and David Okwera made the most of their opportunities late in the half, both doing some good things.

Doolittle registered a double-double by midway through the third quarter, with his jump shot as reliable as ever, before drawing a charging foul at the other end straight after.

Klintman was keeping Cairns in his, scoring seven straight points for his team, with Doolittle and Cotton continued to tick things over at the other end.

Cotton backed up a massive three with a remarkable and-one, throwing the ball up from a distance after getting fouled.

Leading 76-67 at the final change, Perth’s lead diminished to one as the Taipans just wouldn’t go away.

But the Wildcats, in particularly Cotton, held their nerve at the stripe to prevail in nail-biting fashion.

Their last assignment of a three-game, week-long road trip is against Adelaide on Thursday.