Missing three starters in Damian Martin, Terrico White and Angus Brandt, the ladder-leading Wildcats had to pull out all the stops to get the win on Saturday night.

"We've been running on fumes here," Gleeson said post-match.

"I don't think we played exceptionally well and we certainly didn't shoot the ball exceptionally well.

"I thought the workmanlike, hard-hat on, roll the sleeves up and let's get after it (attitude) was first class."

Tamworth’s Nick Kay was the Wildcats’ equal second top-scorer with 18 points.

Bryce Cotton topped the scoring with 26 points, including four from long range, but almost cost the Wildcats the game.

Perth had a two-possession, four-point lead against Cairns with four seconds left on the clock. The Snakes' only chance to level the scores was with a foul on a successful three-point attempt.

Taipans import Melo Trimble took the long-range shot in the dying seconds and was fouled by Cotton in the process, taking him to the free-throw line with 0.8 left on the clock.

His clutch extra point levelled it up, taking it to an extra period. But the visitors regained their composure to regain the lead.

"I thought we had really toughed it out to get it to a two-possession game," Gleeson said.

"Bryce probably just got caught up in the emotion of the game.

"It was a great shot - let's not forget about that - on the run, floating in, It was a great shot."

Gleeson said the team bonded together to ensure they didn't cough up the game in overtime.

"It was good for us that we didn't lose our composure," he said.

The Wildcats now boast an imposing 8-1 record, while the Snakes are 1-7 with a seven-game losing streak following their opening round win in Brisbane.

The Wildcats go to Auckland on Friday to take on the New Zealand Breakers, while Cairns travel to Adelaide for a clash against the 36ers.

Australian Associated Press