Taipans overrun Wildcats to open Blitz

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans went on a 16-1 run to start the second quarter and that set them on the path for the eventual 85-82 win over the Perth Wildcats to open the NBL Blitz in Bendigo on Wednesday night.

It was the first game at the Blitz pre-season tournament ahead of NBL27 at Bendigo's Red Energy Arena with the Taipans responding to a slow start by scoring 16 of the first 17 points of the second quarter against the Wildcats.

Both teams weren’t too far off full strength with Dylan Windler making his first appearance of the pre-season with the 'Cats while they are still awaiting the signing of their third, expected to be point guard, import.

The Taipans were still without Next Star Luke Paul, Jaylin Galloway, Jaylon Brown and Malique Lewis on court, but all four were there on the bench with Jonah Bolden suiting up for the first time in Cairns colours too.

The Wildcats started strongly with a 25-15 first quarter but Cairns answered with a 16-1 run to start the second term and then ended up holding on in a thrilling finish for the three-point win with Elijah Pepper and Anthony Dell'Orso having fouled out for Perth.

It was a fast start to the Blitz for the Wildcats with 25 points to 15 in the first quarter while shooting 56 per cent from the field to just 29 from Cairns along with eight free-throw attempts to zero.

Cairns then made that dominant start to the second frame with a 16-1 to turn that 10-point deficit into a five-point lead, but Perth did steady enough to go into half-time with the 46-45 advantage.

Anthony Dell'Orso continues to shine this pre-season ahead of his rookie NBL season and already had 13 points and seven rebounds to half-time for the 'Cats while Reyne Smith went 4/6 from the outside for the Taipans for all of his 12 points.

The scores were then all locked at 62-62 by the end of the third quarter before the Taipans worked on top in the last quarter and despite a late scare with a triple from Kristian Doolittle to make it a two-point ball game, Cairns completed the three-point win.

Smith ended up top scoring for the Taipans with 18 points on 5/11 three-point shooting with four rebounds and three assists.

Jack McVeigh added 17 points, three rebounds and two assists with Shaun Bruce contributing 14 points, six assists, five boards and two steals, Lloyd McVeigh nine points and four rebounds, and Keanu Pinder nine points, 14 boards and three steals.

Even while they fouled out, the Wildcats back court of Elijah Pepper (19 points, six assists, five rebounds, four steals) and Anthony Dell'Orso (13 points, nine boards) were again impressive.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr also provided 11 points, four rebounds and two blocks, Kristian Doolittle 10 points and six boards, Tana Kopa 10 points, and Angus Brandt eight points and three rebounds.

CAIRNS TAIPANS 85 – PERTH WILDCATS 82

Cairns Taipans
Reyne Smith – 18 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Jack McVeigh – 17 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists
Shaun Bruce – 14 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals
Lloyd McVeigh – 9 points, 4 rebounds
Keanu Pinder – 9 points, 14 rebounds, 3 steals

Perth Wildcats
‍Elijah Pepper – 19 points, 6 assists, 5 rebounds, 4 steals
Anthony Dell'Orso – 13 points, 9 rebounds
Jo Lual-Acuil Jr – 11 points, 4 rebounds, 2 blocks
Kristian Doolittle – 10 points, 6 rebounds
Tana Kopa – 10 points, 2/5 3PT

Written by Chris Pike for NBL.com.au