The Cairns Taipans are on the board this NBL season after an 87-80 defeat of South East Melbourne Phoenix, who were rocked by an eye injury to import Tyler Cook.
Swedish-born Next Star Bobi Klintman (15 points, 11 rebounds) shone for Cairns as they seized control about the time Cook left the court in Thursday night's home game.
The Taipans took a one-point lead just before Cook's injury in the second quarter and never surrendered their advantage, despite the Phoenix putting up a fight early in the fourth.
Taipans import Patrick Miller (23 points, eight assists) was also important in a win that was only confirmed when Lat Mayen hit two threes in the final four minutes to blow out the lead.
"We were playing great defence, following the game plan, doing what coach wanted us to do and we got the 'W' (win). It was good," Klintman said.
Cairns big man Sam Waardenburg accidentally poked Cook in the eye as the American went up for a shot in the minutes before half-time.
The 26-year-old fell down immediately in intense pain and left the court with the assistance of Phoenix staff.
Cook bled from his eye and reacted badly to eye-drops, so he played no further part in the game.
After the match, coach Mike Kelly was unsure as to the severity of his injury.
"I know it hurt him enough to not be able to continue," he said.
Phoenix captain Mitch Creek appeared to question why no foul was paid, despite the contact from Waardenburg.
"I think one of the mosquitoes from Cairns flew in his eye and he's getting checked out now," Creek said.
"It doesn't matter what we think, it doesn't matter what did or didn't happen. A man's ... in hospital getting checked out for no reason, really.
"It's unfortunate, we don't want to see our players hurt."
Himself an injury replacement for import Alan Williams (knee), Cook went down after Will Cummings copped a knock in the first quarter and left the court bleeding from his mouth.
Cummings was able to return later in the match, but with Williams, Cook and Craig Moller (virus) missing, the Phoenix were vulnerable to a Klintman-inspired surge.
The Phoenix had started the second quarter on a 10-1 run, but lost Cook during a 9-0 streak the other way.
Klintman, Cairns' 208cm NBA draft prospect, nailed a corner three in the second quarter and ripped the ball from Rhys Vague's hands before tearing away to dunk.
"This is why we were desperate to get him here. He ticks so many boxes for us," said Taipans coach Adam Forde.
"It's just cool that he's here and we can be part of his journey so when he becomes big-time, we can say we were there for the start."
Three-pointers to Gary Browne either side of three-quarter time helped pull South East Melbourne to within four points in the final quarter.
Creek (20 points, eight rebounds) was also big for the visitors, but the gap proved too mighty to close.
Reuben Te Rangi fouling out in the final quarter certainly did not help either.
The Taipans' win comes after they fell to the New Zealand Breakers in their first game of the season, while the Phoenix are now 1-2 ahead of Saturday's clash with Illawarra.
