Match Report: Wildcats vs Taipans Rnd20 NBL26

The Perth Wildcats closed strongly to defeat the Cairns Taipans 98–84 at RAC Arena on Friday night, steadying after multiple Cairns pushes to secure an important home win in the club’s Pink Game for Breast Cancer Care WA.

Perth had a strong start to the game through Kristian Doolittle, who opened his night with a pair of first-quarter threes and added free throws as the Wildcats worked to establish control.

Cairns stayed in touch through Andrew Andrews and a strong finish to the opening term.

The Wildcats created separation in the second quarter, with Jo Lual-Acuil Jr imposing himself inside at both ends.

After a Cairns burst briefly levelled the score at 36–36, Perth answered with key buckets, including a timely Doolittle triple and strong finishes at the rim to take a 50–40 advantage into the main break.

Cairns threatened again in the third, leaning on Jack McVeigh and Andrews to chip away, but Perth repeatedly responded.

Ben Henshall provided a lift with a reverse layup and continued to pressure the paint, while Doolittle and Lual-Acuil Jr kept Perth’s offence flowing as the Wildcats carried a 68–59 lead into the final quarter.

The Taipans made their move early in the fourth, trimming the margin and then closing within three at 83–80 after a late surge featuring back-to-back triples from McVeigh and Mojave King.

Perth answered immediately with composure and poise. Lual-Acuil Jr drew contact and calmly converted at the line before the Wildcats produced a decisive run in the final minutes.

Henshall attacked to earn free throws, Elijah Pepper finished a reverse layup off a Henshall assist, and Dylan Windler threw down a powerful dunk and completed the play at the stripe to push the margin back out.

With Cairns still searching for one last opening, the Wildcats slammed the door. Jesse Wagstaff soared for the dunk of his career which had The Jungle the loudest it had been all night.

Then in the final seconds, Doolittle drilled a three-pointer to seal the deal, with the assist from Wagstaff, as Perth closed the night with a strong finish.

The win keeps the Wildcats’ late-season momentum rolling as they currently find themselves in fourth place on the Hungry Jack's NBL ladder, and continue their push toward finals having won eight of their last nine games. 

BOX SCORES