Taipans fall short of Wildcats in Perth

The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans threw down the gauntlet to the Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena in their NBL season-opener and now turn their attention to a return home this coming Saturday.

It was always a daunting challenge for the Taipans to open their 2021/22 NBL season in Perth on Sunday but under new coach Adam Forde who was back in his old hometown, the Snakes came out impressively.

With Kouat Noi knocking down three three-pointers in the first quarter alone, Cairns managed to lead by five at quarter-time and then midway through the second term saw their lead extend to eight.

The Snakes did mount a fightback briefly in the fourth quarter to get back within single figures of the Wildcats, but ultimately on their home court and led by 31 points from Bryce Cotton, the 'Cats were too much and won 90-67.

From the moment Cairns led by eight during the second quarter, Perth outscored them 70 points to 39 the rest of the way for the eventual 23-point win with the Taipans now looking forward to returning home to the Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday.

On the back of his four triples in the first half, Kouat Noi ended up top-scoring for Cairns with 17 points and five rebounds while hitting 5/8 from downtown.

Import Tahjere McCall was given the defensive job on Vic Law early and did well limiting his influence after having 37 points in Perth's Friday win over Adelaide. McCall ended his debut with 16 points, eight rebounds and three assists.

Fellow import Stephen Zimmerman fought valiantly for 14 points and 14 rebounds with Keanu Pinder adding seven points (six rebounds), Scott Machado four (six assists), Majok Deng four (four boards), Bul Kuol three (two assists) and Nate Jawai two (two rebounds, two assists).

Taipans coach Adam Forde said the game was a grind for his side.

"We're just going to try and find ways that we can get scores. This is a bit on me too. We're a little bit too blocked up in the keyway," Forde said. 

"We’ve got to find guys on cuts and on the moves and get them shots where they can feel comfortable taking them. Once we sort of unlocked that piece that will help free it up a little bit more on the offensive end."

Machado said Forde was being too hard on himself and the players had to make more of their shots.

"I think Fordey is doing a good job and putting us in the right positions. He's probably taking it a little hard saying that he needs to change it up a little bit," Machado said. 

"I feel like some shots we have we're open, especially me, and some of those shots got to go in. We just got to continue to believe in that."

It was the perfect start to the season for the Snakes with Kouat Noi opening the game knocking down a three-pointer. New import Tahjere McCall followed suit not long after before Noi hit from deep again and the Taipans led 9-5.

Nate Jawai entered the floor and made an immediate impact scoring down low after an offensive board. Imports McCall and Stephen Zimmerman then scored to keep Cairns on top before a third triple of the opening term from Noi saw the visitors up 21-16 after one.

It was a slow start to the second term for Cairns with just two points in the opening four minutes but when Majok Deng pulled a nice move for a layup, they were still on top 25-20.

Noi then drilled a wide open three to give him four makes on the afternoon with the Taipans lead growing to eight. However, Perth then hit the game's next 12 points before a steadying Cairns bucket inside from Deng.

Keanu Pinder scored a tough bucket too just before half-time for Cairns but the Wildcats went into the break leading 39-34.

The Perth lead grew to double-figures in the opening minutes of the second half and unfortunately for the Taipans the lead for the 'Cats had grown to 16 by three quarter-time.

It was a better start to the fourth term with a three-point play to McCall and then a bucket inside to Zimmerman as the Wildcats called an early timeout. Noi then hit his fifth three of the night to cut the deficit to eight.

However, Perth closed the game scoring 20 of the last 25 points to hand the Taipans a 23-point first up loss. 

The Taipans will now head home to play their first game in front of the Orange Army at the redeveloped Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday night against the Tasmania JackJumpers. 

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 1

CQUNIVERSITY CAIRNS TAIPANS 67 (Noi 17, McCall 16, Zimmerman 14) 

PERTH WILDCATS 90 (Cotton 31, Law 14, Zunic 13)

BOX SCORE