Wildcats bounce back to defeat Taipans

The Perth Wildcats have rebounded from a turbulent week off-court to defeat the Cairns Taipans 91-81 at Challenge Stadium in Perth this evening.

Perth secured victory with Shawn Redhage again top scoring with 28 points and eight rebounds. David Bailey finished with 14 points and six assists, while Dillon Boucher grabbed an equal game-high 10 rebounds and the double-double for netting 10 points.

Others amongst the contributors for Perth include Paul Rogers, Tony Ronaldson and Matt Shanahan, while Matt Burston and Peter Crawford played both had light contributions.

Best for Cairns was Gary Boodnikoff, who netted 27 points and collected 10 rebounds, while Nathan Crosswell and Martin Cattalini were also amongst the leading contributors. Darnell Mee and Melvin Thomas combined for 13 points and 10 rebounds between them.

The fallout from the loss to Adelaide last weekend occurred mid-week with assistant coach Dave Ingham shown the door. A strange move for onlookers as many believed he was the head coach with a diplomatic Scott Fisher onboard for Public Relations.

The home side had more dramas to overcome today as the shot clock, scoreboard at one end, and courtside address system all went offline. Compared to the axing of Ingham, all three were minor though still troublesome with a game in progress.

Perth began well with Redhage netting 12 opening quarter points, Boodnikoff replied for Cairns with nine points as the teams traded baskets before the Wildcats made a late break to lead 27-20 at quarter time.

The Taipans went on a 12-4 run early in the second quarter, though Redhage bagged six points to thwart attempts by Crosswell and Boodnikoff. Rogers was unlucky to have his reverse dunk on the half-time buzzer not awarded though Fox Sports TV replays would suggest otherwise. Cairns narrowly outscored Perth in the second quarter.

At the main break, Perth led 48-44 but had to come-from-behind after Boodnikoff connected with two long-range bombs. The Cairns lead blew out to a game-high nine points before Boucher led the Wildcats revival with some rough play involved whilst netting six points. Boodnikoff ensured the visitors kept a narrow lead after Paul Rogers was technical fouled.

Cairns took a slender one-point lead, 68-67, into the final quarter. Bailey inspired the fourth quarter charge from the Wildcats with 10 points. With Mee and Thomas both fouled out, the Taipans lost their hold and watched on as Perth netted easy baskets to close out a spiteful match.

Any doubts Perth would play in the finals this season ended with the 10-point victory. Cairns, however, has won this series 2-1 and will take that advantage into the post-season should the teams’ tie on the same number of wins.

The Taipans (15-13) play the Tigers in Melbourne on Wednesday night, while the Wildcats (14-16) have six-days off before wrestling with the Townsville Crocodiles in Darwin.

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