Taipans finish season with sweep over league leaders
16 Feb
1
min read


The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans have completed their first ever season sweep over Melbourne United with a 97-88 home win over the misfiring title favourites.
Tahjere McCall starred as the Taipans repeatedly poked holes in United's usually watertight defence, posting a third-straight win over their rivals in Friday's dead rubber.
Cairns were in control with a 77-54 lead at three-quarter time on their home court but were forced to withstand a late Melbourne comeback.
United reduced the deficit to just four points midway through the final period before Patrick Miller iced the game from the foul line in the dying seconds.
McCall shone with 23 points and nine rebounds for Cairns, while fellow import Miller (20, eight) was also important.
Melbourne missed their first 17 three-point attempts and didn't make one until Matthew Dellavedova broke the drought early in the final quarter.
The visitors finished 4-of-26 from beyond the arc and also struggled from the free-throw line in the first half (3-of-10).
Ian Clark (20 points) and Ariel Hukporti (15) gave plenty off the bench for United, while Dellavedova (16) and Luke Travers (10, 13 rebounds) fought to the end.
Cairns' three best performances of the campaign have all come against United, with impressive scores of 115, 95 and 97 in their wins over the ladder leaders.
Those showings gave a glimpse of what Cairns have been capable of, but their 12-16 record wasn't enough for a Finals berth.

15 Jul
We'll miss you, Sam!

14 Jul
Mojave King to relocate to Adelaide

29 Jun
Taipans announce Head Coach Adam Forde

27 Jun
Taipans Roster - Free Agency

9 Jun
Jawai returning to Cairns Marlins

8 Jun
President's Update: June 2021

8 Jun
Majok and Mirko make move to Marlins

2 Jun
Taipans finish full of fight in Rotorua

2 Jun
Snake Eyes – Taipans at Breakers

31 May
Statement on Mike Kelly

31 May
Taipans fight hard in Sydney against United

31 May
Snake Eyes – Taipans vs United

30 May
King and Jois to miss remaining games

28 May
Snakes farewell pop-up with stunning fightback win

28 May
Further schedule changes

28 May
Injury Update: Fabijan Krslovic
Support your team with the latest gear
Grab your latest team releases before they're gone.

Get the latest Team Updates
Breaking news & special offers. Direct to your inbox.
