Taipans fall to undefeated United

Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans were unable to break Melbourne United’s undefeated streak to start the 2025-26 season, falling 67-94 at the Cairns Convention Centre. 

Despite marksman Reyne Smith’s best efforts on the offensive end, the Taipans couldn’t generate enough scoring power to stay in the contest.

Former Orlando Magic forward Admiral Schofield (11 points, seven rebounds) got the home side off to a terrific start with the opening five points, before Melbourne began to score at will in the paint with the side taking a 15-point lead into quarter-time.

Sharpshooter Smith kept the scoreboard ticking over in the opening half with a trio of threes, helping limit the damage to a 14-point deficit at the main break.

However, the Melbourne trio of Jesse Edwards (10 points, five rebounds), Milton Doyle (10 points, six rebounds), and Finn Delany (11 points, six rebounds) proved too strong, with the Taipans still missing Australian Boomer Jack McVeigh and big man Sam Waardenburg.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde

“Between Waardenburg and McVeigh, they should be taking 30 of the 70 shots available. (Alex Higgins-Titsha) for example, his left hand is heavily strapped and is doing a great job defensively. But offensively, he was forced to drive on his left hand and turned it over. It’s not Alex’s fault, he’s playing through injury. If we had everybody available, we would sit Alex out to recover but we don’t have the bodies. Kody Stattmann was another we planned to start, but he was ruled out with a hamstring injury.”

Despite his injury, slasher Higgins-Titsha still managed to finish with 10 points and 2-of-3 from behind the arc.
Californian big man Marcus Lee returned to the starting five, producing eight points, 10 rebounds, three steals and two blocks against his former club.

Mawot Mag brought defensive intensity, logging a season-high 28 minutes and grabbing 10 rebounds, two steals and a block.

The Taipans battled hard on the glass, pulling down a season-high 16 offensive rebounds, showing the team’s intent.

Showing encouraging flashes despite their injuries, particularly through their young guards, Cairns were bested United’s experience and execution down the stretch underlined why they remain undefeated.

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans will now prepare for a road double-header across Round 7, with the side first touching down in Brisbane for a Queensland derby, before flying further south to face Tasmania in Launceston. The Taipans will next hit their home court on Friday 7 November when they host the Illawarra Hawks - grab your tickets for the 6:30pm clash HERE.