McVeigh and Stattmann Strike Down the JackJumpers in OT Classic

Cairns local Kody Stattmann iced overtime and Jack McVeigh authored a 40-point masterpiece as the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans outlasted Tasmania 96-93 in Pride Round on Friday night.

The home side were dealt a late blow before tip-off when import floor general Andrew Andrews was ruled out after failing a pre-game fitness test, but the Taipans responded emphatically. 

Electric guard Mojave King’s aggression boosted the side with 10 points in the opening quarter, while McVeigh knocked down shots from the midrange leading the side to 27-17 lead at the first break. 

Veteran guard Kyle Adnam sparked the Cairns crowd in the second quarter, lofting a perfect alley-oop that King rose up and hammered home with authority.

From there, Cairns flipped the game with defence, discipline and a wave of momentum that lit up the building.

McVeigh continued to fight through double teams against his former side racking up 20 points (4-8 FG and 10-10 from the free throw line) at halftime, drawing extra attention and creating opportunities for his teammates to capitalise on.

With playmaker Adnam steering the offence in Andrews’ absence, Cairns kept stacking strong possessions and by halftime the Taipans had opened up a 54-39 advantage.

As expected, the JackJumpers dragged the game into a physical grind after the break.

Former Taipan Majok Deng (28 points and eight rebounds) stayed hot, physical forward Josh Bannan (18 points and 15 rebounds), David Johnson (17 points) and Tyger Campbell (14 points and six assists) added a punch and Tasmania’s pressure began to squeeze the margin.

Cairns still led 71-65 at three-quarter time, but the showdown had shifted into an arm wrestle.

That fight peaked in the fourth quarter when Tasmania stormed in front with a run midway through the term.

Just when the Taipans needed a response, their marquee man McVeigh delivered, drilling two huge threes to keep Cairns alive and force overtime at 84-84.

Overtime turned into a test of grit, legs and composure.

Tasmania lost key pieces late with Campbell cramped up and Johnson fouled out and Cairns' hometown hero executed.

Stattmann owned the period with seven of the Taipans’ 12 overtime points, including clutch work at the line and came up with two late-game steals.

The Cairns guard unleashed his full offensive arsenal, slashing to the rim at will and knocking down shots on the perimeter.

Kyrin Galloway came up with a crucial late block to protect the lead. Deng had a final look to extend the game, but it rattled out and Cairns closed out a much-needed win.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde:
“We tightened up in the third quarter because we sometimes expected (McVeigh) to bail us out of bad offence. The momentum shifted back in our favour a little bit when other guys started to make plays, like (Kody Stattmann). Because Jack draws so much attention, it can open up lanes for other players. It was a bit of a juggling act trying to mix it up between Mojave, Kyle, Lachlan and Kody. But Stattmann just took the bull by the horns tonight and really closed it out for us.”

McVeigh Goes The Distance
‍McVeigh didn’t just score, he endured. The Australian Boomer played all 45 minutes, finished with 40 points (9-25 FG), eight rebounds and was flawless at the stripe (17-17 free throws).

His efficiency at the foul line is the most free throws shot at 100 per cent since 1994 and is one of only three players ever to shoot 17 or more free throws. 

The Taipans leading scorer constantly absorbs physical attention. Against his former club, it was a reminder of how difficult he is to scheme against when he’s in rhythm and mercilessly torching defenders. 

‍Adnam Steadies The Ship
Without Andrews, Cairns had to manufacture organisation by committee, and it worked.

Adnam led the way with seven points and four assists, sharing the point guard load with gritty guard Lachlan Barker, while King and Stattmann had short stretches as the primary initiator.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Adnam had a +20 for the match while on the floor, while centre Marcus Lee finished with +22.

The Taipans finished with just eight turnovers after five periods, a major reason they built the early lead and survived the late pressure.

King’s First-Half Punch
King was electric early, scoring all 16 of his points in the first half to help Cairns break the game open.

While the scoring slowed after the break, his first-half burst mattered.

At the other end, Galloway grew into the night with seven points, nine rebounds and two blocks, including a pivotal late rejection as Cairns’ undermanned frontcourt found ways to win key moments.

Stattmann’s Hometown Moment
The closing plays belonged to a Cairns product in front of a roaring Orange Army.

In his fourth start for the season, Stattmann delivered a career-best 18 points (6-12 FG) with two steals.

Then the guard produced the defining overtime sequence with pressure on defence, ice cold finishing and clutch free throws to help drag the Taipans home when the game tightened to breaking point.

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans now take on the Sydney Kings on Sunday, February 1 at 3:30pm AEST. Grab your tickets HERE.