Taipans fire late in thriller over Breakers

The Kenfrost Homes Cairns Taipans have stormed home in a final quarter surge to defeat New Zealand Breakers 86-84 at the Cairns Convention Centre on Sunday

After trailing by double digits at multiple stages throughout the contest, the Taipans showed resilience in the second half, then survived a frantic final few seconds in a two-point thriller.

Jaylin Galloway made his Taipans’ debut and was an instant hit with the home fans, scoring 18 points to go with six assists and three rebounds.

Jack McVeigh was outstanding, especially during the second half comeback, finishing with 18 points with seven assists and three rebounds, while Jonah Bolden was huge on the glass, hauling in a game-high 14 rebounds.

But it was Reyne Smith who turned the game into the home side’s favour, scoring all of his nine points in the final 10 minutes. His three triples were enormous, especially his final three-pointer for an 84-79 lead with just under two minutes to play.

Keanu Pinder, who finished with 15 points and five rebounds, swished a three-pointer for a 66-65 lead, Cairns’ first lead since the opening quarter, then Smith made back-to-back triples to push the Taipans’ lead out to 72-65, the home side on an 11-0 run.

The Breakers opened an early 10-3 lead before the home side went on an 8-0 run to take their first lead of the match at 11-10, the home side’s only lead until the final quarter.

MARQUEE MATCH-UP

It was a marquee match-up with McVeigh going head-to-head with Sam Mennenga, and after an opening arm wrestle, the Breakers big man took over in the second quarter.

Mennenga had 15 points in the opening half, including back-to-back three-pointers with McVeigh on the bench in foul trouble going into half-time.

McVeigh then fired back in the third quarter as the home side made their move, even exchanging a few words with the former Taipan Mennenga.

The Cairns forward did foul out late in the contest, Mennenga finishing with a game-high 22 points, but McVeigh went home with the victory.

JAYLIN RETURNS IN STYLE

Galloway made his debut in Taipans colours and put straight into the starting line-up, the first time Cairns had a different opening quintet this season, opening the scoring with a big triple.

The three-time NBL champion was a spark at both ends of the floor as the Taipans were searching for momentum in the opening half.

He showed great poise and leadership throughout the contest and was a key reason the Taipans stayed in the contest.

The 198cm swingman had seven first quarter points as he made an instant impact after off-season shoulder surgery.

BREAKING NEW RECORDS

Cairns did more than just fightback for a much-needed victory on Sunday afternoon, the Taipans put to bed some alarming statistics in the process.

The lacklustre first half would have had the statisticians worried as Cairns had lost 20 of its past 21 games after trailing at quarter-time.

But the Taipans bucked the trend with an impressive second half performance in a result which sees Cairns jump New Zealand on the standings.

After a slow start, McVeigh got the scoreboard ticking over after half-time, which was also much needed, seeing the Taipans have lost their past 10 games when the forward scores less than 15 points.

POINT TO PROVE

Jaylon Brown was a non-factor in the contest, spending most of his night trying to follow around returning MVP favourite Parker Jackson-Cartwright.

The import point guard couldn’t find the basket and was looking to force his offense to make an impact on the result.

In his first game back from a lower leg injury, Jackson-Cartwright was instrumental with 14 points, nine assists and six rebounds.

But Brown stuck to his game plan and his first and only made field goal of the match was huge – a massive three-pointer to give the home side a 75-71 lead.

WHAT’S NEXT

The Taipans are back on the road to start next round, travelling to Brisbane to take on the Bullets on Thursday night.

You can catch all the action from Brisbane on ESPN.
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‍CAIRNS TAIPANS 86 (J Galloway 18, J McVeigh 18, Pinder 15) def NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 84 (Mennenga 22, Bediako 15, Jackson-Cartwright 14) at the Cairns Convention Centre.

BOX SCORE