McVeigh Lights Up Adelaide with Career-High 39 in Narrow OT Defeat

Jack McVeigh and the Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans produced one of their toughest performances of the season but fell agonisingly short in a 105–101 overtime loss to the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday afternoon.

The former Houston Rocket delivered the best scoring display of his NBL career, erupting for 39 points on 15-25 FG shooting, including four triples, while adding eight rebounds and seven assists in a breathtaking all-around performance.

McVeigh repeatedly punished Adelaide’s switches, attacked mismatches with purpose and set the tone defensively as Cairns refused to back down against one of the league’s hottest teams.

McVeigh and Bryce Cotton traded blows all night in a superstar duel, with Cotton finishing with 41 points and eight assists — setting the stage for a gripping finish.

Cairns forced overtime after rim protector Marcus Lee tied the game from the free-throw line with 34 seconds remaining and Mojave King slammed home a transition dunk moments earlier to cut the margin to one. But the 36ers steadied late across the extra period, leaning on Cotton’s shot-making and the physical presence of Isaac Humphries.

“Super proud of the team because that was the fight and desire I asked from them three weeks ago and ever since the Brisbane Bullets loss, they’ve responded," said Head Coach Adam Forde.

“Marcus Lee had both his thumbs taped up, Admiral Schofield gets acupuncture on his groins, hips and calves. I can rattle off the list of all the nagging injuries but the team has a big heart. I enjoy coaching this group. These guys care. They played hard and they gave it everything they’ve got.”

“It’s a disappointing loss, but we’re playing with a seven man rotation at the moment.”

“The majority of the solution is fixed with four players — Sam Waardenburg, Kody Stattmann, Reyne Smith and Kyle Adnam — returning from injury. We then need to make sure we don’t take a back step when those players return. We have to maintain the same level of energy and enthusiasm that the group showed tonight.”

“With three injury replacement players and two development players, I’m super proud of the group. We battled through.”

Former NBA wing Troy Brown Jr. — who logged 371 games across stints with the Wizards, Bulls, Lakers, Timberwolves and Pistons — made his NBL debut for Adelaide, adding nine points.

Cotton and Cheatham combined for 20 points at the free-throw line.

‍Two Towers: Galloway and Lee Stand Tall‍

Kyrin Galloway and Marcus Lee delivered arguably their best collective outing of the season.

Galloway was clinical with 14 points on 5-6 FG shooting (3-4 from three), stretching Adelaide’s defence and providing timely scoring.

Lee was immense on the offensive glass, finishing with nine rebounds — seven offensive — and 15 points, repeatedly creating extra possessions and battling through contact against Cheatham and Humphries.

The pair’s physicality kept Cairns in the contest deep into the fourth and overtime, helping offset the 36ers’ size advantage.

‍King in Command‍

New recruit Mojave King backed up his strong recent performances with another energetic offensive showing, finishing with 21 points (8-14 FG, 3-8 from three) and three rebounds.

The 23-year-old brought energy in transition, knocked down key perimeter shots and delivered a highlight-reel dunk in the fourth quarter to pull Cairns within one. King’s confidence continues to rise ahead of joining the New Zealand Tall Blacks during the upcoming FIBA break.

‍The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans now return home to host the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday 22 November in their final fixture before the FIBA break. Grab your tickets HERE.