Another strong performance from Tamworth export Nick Kay wasn't enough for the Perth Wildcats as they suffered their first defeat of the 2019/20 NBL season, falling 99-76 to the Cairns Taipans on Friday night.
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In what was their worst loss at RAC Arena, the Wildcats led by as much as seven points in the second quarter, but couldn't keep up with the hot-shooting Cairns side in the second half.
Kay was the Cats' equal top pointscorer for the game, finishing with 15 points and five rebounds. Terrico White also had 15.
Damian Martin had six assists and six rebounds, while Dario Hunt's eight points and eight rebounds came in limited minutes after getting into foul trouble.
Trevor Gleeson credited the Taipans for their performance, but said his side has work to do.
"It was really disappointing tonight, it was just the application, anytime you get out-worked on your home court by the opposition is very disappointing. That's not the Wildcats brand we've built up over the last five or six years," he said.
"We certainly went individual, and didn't stick together tight as a unit. Defence has been our backbone and they were scoring at will."
Captain Damian Martin said his teammates won't sleep well after the disappointing result.
"I don't question anyone's character on the team or willingness to do whatever it takes to win, but in the first half we were giving them two and three looks, and they started to get their eye in in the second half," said Martin.
"Ball movement in the second half; ours was one pass and a shot, and they weren't dropping for whatever reason, while they were going down the other end and moving the ball well.
"They taught us a lesson that if you play with intensity and discipline, good things can happen."
The Taipans shot the ball at 57 per cent while the Wildcats struggled at 32.
The home side incredibly put up 18 more shots than their opponents.
Perth now travel to Melbourne where they meet United on Sunday.
