Hungry Jack's NBL
Wildcats take charge after fire alarm break
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By Chris Pike for NBL.com.au
An evacuation thanks to a fire alarm was just the spark the Perth Wildcats needed to take charge against the Cairns Taipans with Next Star Izan Almansa shining in the eventual 89-76 NBL Blitz victory.
The Taipans were looking good leading by as much as 16 points on the Gold Coast, but the break seemed to work wonders early in the third quarter for the Wildcats.
Following the building needing to be evacuated, the 'Cats took control outscoring the Snakes 49 points to 27 the rest of the way to turn a 16-point deficit into an encouraging 13-point victory in the absence of four-time MVP Bryce Cotton.
The Taipans were looking for a first win at the NBL Blitz following first up losses to Melbourne United and the Sydney Kings. Even without key guards Taran Armstrong and Kyle Adnam, they started well against the Bryce Cotton-less 'Cats.
The Cairns import trio of Pedro Bradshaw, Rob Edwards and Tanner Groves all combined for their first 17 points in a 17-4 lead over the opening seven minutes. They were still up 22-13 after one even with a Michael Harris three on the buzzer for Perth.
New import Dylan Windler then also hit a triple to open the second quarter but the Taipans remained in charge to go into half-time leading 41-32 with Edwards putting up 16 points and Bradshaw 12.
Cairns were leading 49-36 just before a huge dunk for Perth from Keanu Pinder and then the game took an unexpected twist with the fire alarm going off and Gold Coast Sport and Leisure needing to be completely evacuated.
Following the short delay the Wildcats took complete control and grabbed the lead just before three quarter-time with a big triple from rookie Elijah Pepper having scored 22 points to 12 since the interruption.
Perth took further control in the final period with another 26 points to 15 to have outscored Cairns 49 to 27 since the break with Tai Webster top-scoring with 16 points and five assists.
Pepper added 15 points and four assists with the signs from Next Star Izan Almansa exciting with 15 points, eight rebounds and two steals while Michael Harris had 13 points and five boards, and Keanu Pinder eight points, four rebounds, three assists and three steals.
Despite the loss what the Cairns imports provided was encouraging with Rob Edwards finishing with 16 points on 7/9 shooting in less than 20 minutes while Pedro Bradshaw added 15 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.
Tanner Groves also had seven points and nine rebounds with Jonah Antonio hitting 3/6 from deep for 11 points while Dillon Stith had seven points and four boards.
The Wildcats will now return home following their trip to Japan and week on the Gold Coast to prepare to open NBL25 next Friday night at RAC Arena against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The Snakes have one more game at the Blitz on Saturday against the Brisbane Bullets before opening their NBL season next Saturday night in Perth against the Illawarra Hawks.
HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ
PERTH WILDCATS 89 (Webster 16, Pepper 15, Almansa 15)
CAIRNS TAIPANS 76 (Edwards 16, Bradshaw 15, Antonio 11)
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