The Perth legend missed a free throw for the lead before Edwards, who was fouled with 2.2 seconds remaining, missed two at the other end, forcing a second extension.
The Taipans led 22-18 on Kyle Adnam’s coast-to-coast drive on the quarter-time bell before moving ahead 56-47 at half-time despite Cotton and Pinder getting off the chain.
Perth captured the lead on a 13-2 run in the third term with Cotton draining a pair of threes and Ben Henshall helping himself to an easy dunk from a horrible Taipans turnover, one of their seven for the term.
Cairns fell apart at both ends and Henshall took full advantage, scoring 15 for the stanza to help the Wildcats motor ahead 82-73 at three-quarter-time after dominating the term 35-17, before the Taipans rallied in the fourth and beyond.
“We showed great fighting qualities,” Perth coach John Rillie said.
“It wasn’t a great performance by us, but we hung around and found ways – we just couldn’t get over the hump with an emotional breaking play.
“They found the moment in that game, when we just couldn’t.”
AAP
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