Cairns fall to Wildcats on Boxing Day

It was the CQUniversity Cairns Taipans’ first Boxing Day game ever at the Cairns Convention Centre but a 35-point surge in the fourth quarter wasn't enough, with the Perth Wildcats taking the 105-102 win. 

Bobi Klintman led the way for Cairns with 24 points and seven rebounds, making plays that will no doubt be featured in his highlight reel during the 2024 NBA Draft broadcast.

Tahjere McCall scored 17 points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals. He has now recorded at least one steal in his past 10 games, which is the longest active streak of any player in the league.

Meanwhile Patrick Miller had 12 points in the fourth quarter, finishing with 18 points and seven assists, as Sam Mennenga came close to a double-double again with nine points and 10 boards.

The Taipans only played at home four days ago, defeating the Phoenix 94-75 while the Wildcats were ready to redeem themselves after a Christmas Eve loss in Melbourne.

The visitors were in control for most of the game, as Bryce Cotton was his usual best for the game-high 33 points while Kristian Doolittle proved to be a challenge for the Taipans’ offence, also scoring 17 points and 16 rebounds.

Cairns’ struggled to get their shot to drop, shooting at just 31.6 per cent from the field at half time, despite Tahjere McCall and Bobi Klintman contributing 10 points apiece.

The Taipans gained momentum after the main break, as Klintman scored seven straight points to cut the deficit and lead the fightback which featured a thrilling dunk on the fast break.

Comparatively Pat Miller had a quiet night and by the end of the third only had six points and three assists but managed 12 points and four assists in the fourth quarter.

Cairns couldn’t quite get in front, but a crafty layup from Taran Armstrong made it a one-point game with just 90 seconds remaining and followed it up with a steal and dish to Klintman.

It was anyone’s guess who Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde would select to make the shot to tie the game, but Sam Waardenburg stepped up only for his three-pointer to rim out.

Coach Forde said that it was poor shooting in the first quarter that lost them the game, with just 5-of-20 shots landing.

“We missed some real easy ones at the start. There was a half dozen that didn’t drop in our favour to start the first quarter. When [Perth] get the rebound, and they can get out on the break, it speeds them up and they capitalised on that,” he said.

“It was tough not getting that scoreboard pressure in the first quarter, but I thought we did a good job, fighting back, right up to the end.”

The Taipans now travel to Sydney to play the Kings on Friday, before hosting Melbourne United on New Year’s Eve.