Perth Wildcats prolong Cairns Taipans’ suffering

With the Perth Wildcats without three key starters for their Round 6 NBL clash with Cairns, first-year coach Mike Kelly knew it was his club’s big chance to end their losing run. It did not exactly go to plan.

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MIKE Kelly knew it was his squad’s chance.

At home, facing a Perth Wildcats side without starters Damian Martin, Terrico White and Angus Brandt, after they almost toppled the reigning champions last week.

If the Cairns Taipans were going to snap their ever-extending losing sequence, all signs pointed to it being on Saturday evening against the undermanned West Australians.

Cairns controlled the majority of the first half but could not make it count where it mattered most, on the scoreboard, as the Wildcats drew level for the first time approaching halftime.

As the contest wore on, the experience of Bryce Cotton (well, he showed some inexperience also), Nick Kay and Townsville junior Mitch Norton shorn through as Perth handed the Taipans their seventh straight loss, 83-88.

“They were down some guys, this was the time, we had a great work of training again,” Kelly said.

“We were seeing signs of getting better but we were not able to finish off.

“It is frustrating to finish off that way and not get a win.”

Bryce Cotton of the Wildcats (right) attacks during the Round 6 NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at the Cairns Convention Centre, in Cairns, Saturday, November 17, 2018. (AAP Image/Brian Cassey) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

While the game will be remembered for Melo Trimble’s crazy shot to send it to an extra period, Cairns can only blame themselves for not building enough of a lead when they had the ascendancy earlier in the evening.

The Wildcats led by four points with just seconds remaining and looked all but home before a clumsy foul from Cotton on Snakes point guard Trimble triple evened the score with 0.8 seconds left in the game.

Trimble hit the three and after the contact made his free-throw as he evened the scoreline.

Both the Wildcats and Cairns then exchanged sloppy turnovers from the inbounds pass, with Cotton’s attempted game-winning heave falling short.

Once in the extra period, the Wildcats just pounded the ball inside and their big boys Kay and Tom Jervis were the difference in the end.

The heartbreaking defeat is Cairns’ seventh straight and dropped their season record to 1-7 as they sit at the foot of the ladder.

Bryce Cotton of the Wildcats (right) attacks during the Round 6 NBL match between the Cairns Taipans and Perth Wildcats at the Cairns Convention Centre, in Cairns, Saturday, November 17, 2018. (AAP Image/Brian Cassey) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Trimble had a tough night dealing with pesky defender Norton but he still found a way to influence the game, collecting 12 rebounds and seven assists.

Big man Nate Jawai worked tirelessly under the bucket for Cairns, often gaining multiple different post positions on a possession to create an outlet for his guards.

Originally published as Perth Wildcats prolong Cairns Taipans’ suffering