JLA, Windler lift Perth to win in Cairns

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and Dylan Windler combined for 56 points and the Perth Wildcats scored nine of the game's last 13 points to secure a nail-biting 80-77 road win over the Cairns Taipans.

It was a game full of momentum swings on Friday night at the Cairns Convention Centre but in the end the major difference was Perth pair Lual-Acuil Jr and Windler.

Lual-Acuil Jr fired Perth to a 13-4 start but the Taipans responded well to level things up at 23-23 by quarter-time and the home team went up nine during the second period.

That was back to just a two-point lead at half-time before it was the Wildcats up one at three quarter-time.

Windler put the 'Cats up five early in the fourth quarter but Cairns answered and were back up two when Reyne Smith scored with just over three minutes to play.

However, Lual-Acuil Jr scored the next six points and then his put back with 12 seconds to go ultimately sealed the three-point win even though Andrew Andrews put up a prayer at the death for the Snakes that almost went down to force overtime.

The win improves the Wildcats to 3-1 with Lual-Acuil Jr getting to 30 points for just the third time in his 134-game NBL career. He finished with 30 points and 10 rebounds.

Windler also continued his hot form with the left-handed American providing 26 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two steals on 11/15 shooting.

The other star for Perth once again was development player Jaron Rillie. The son of coach John was trusted once again with the ball in hands and played 21 minutes for six points, three rebounds and two assists.

The 'Cats outscored the Taipans by 16 points in his minutes and he is now +62 in the first 41 minutes of his NBL career.

The Snakes are now 2-3 following the loss ahead of facing the undefeated Melbourne United on Sunday with Andrews finishing with 21 points and three assists.

Admiral Schofield also had 16 points and four rebounds, Marcus Lee 12 points, 12 boards and three blocked shots, Reyne Smith 11 points and three rebounds, and Jack McVeigh nine points, eight boards and six assists.

It was a flying start from the Wildcats as they raced out to a 9-2 lead which became 13-4 when Jo Lual-Acuil Jr scored again to give him six early points in that stretch.

Cairns responded beginning with four quick points from big man Marcus Lee before Admiral Schofield, Jack McVeigh and Andrew Andrews all landed three-pointers for the Snakes with scores all tied at 23-23 by quarter-time.

It was the Taipans who opened up a handy lead in the second term going up by as much as nine thanks to an 11-0 run that included three-point bombs from Schofield and Reyne Smith.

The Wildcats, though, responded to close the half with a 10-3 run to cut the Cairns lead to 43-41 at the main break.

Perth had a seven-point lead during the third quarter and Cairns led by as much as six themselves, but by three quarter-time it was back to just a one-point lead in favour of the 'Cats.

Dylan Windler then broke the game open early in the fourth for Perth when he scored seven quick points to put his team up five, but Andrews and McVeigh combined for the next five points in response for Cairns to set up the thrilling finish.

Lual-Acuil Jr went on an individual 6-0 run to put Perth back in front by four with just over a minute to play and then the Wildcats big man tipped back in an offensive rebound with 12 seconds to go to seal the win for his team.

The Taipans have the short turnaround to taking on the undefeated Melbourne United on the road now on Sunday. The Wildcats are back home to host the Brisbane Bullets on Wednesday night as part of the Ignite Cup.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

CAIRNS TAIPANS 77 (Andrews 21, Schofield 16, Lee 12)

PERTH WILDCATS 80 (Lual-Acuil Jr 30, Windler 26, Jones 8)

BOX SCORE