Taipans go down in Tasmania

The CQUniversity Cairns Taipans have fallen to the Tasmania Jackjumpers 86-103 for their first game of 2024, as the Jackjumpers got a much-needed win at their home MyState Bank Arena on Saturday evening.

The Taipans defeated the ladder leaders on New Year’s Eve and travelled to Tasmania, but after scoring the opening buckets and leading the game for the first minute, it was a lead they would never regain throughout the match.

Cairns’ focus was on starting strong and they scored eight points before they missed their first bucket, with Tahjere McCall and Sam Mennenga scoring four apiece.

The Jackjumpers had a nine-point lead at the first break and despite McCall leading all scorers with 16 points and four rebounds at the half, the Taipans still trailed 41-51 at the main break.  

The team were shooting at just 41 per cent from the field but unusually only attempted seven three-pointers.

Pat Miller struggled offensively after dislocating his finger in the second quarter.

The Taipans’ leading scorer poured 31 points on Melbourne, but managed just two points in the first half, and two points in the second on 2-of-11 shooting.

The Jackjumpers had lost their last three home games and were desperate for a win, blowing the lead out by as much as 24 points in the third.

Three-quarter time saw the Taipans down by 20 points, but Taran Armstrong was doing everything to lead an impressive fightback.

In his first game back in Tasmania, Burnie product Taran Armstrong was electric in the fourth quarter as he surged for 11 straight points.

He only had two points and one rebound at the half, but finished with 18 points, seven rebounds and fours assists in a stunning performance.

Armstrong and Next Star Bobi Klintman combined for 30 points in the second half, with Klintman finishing with 16 points and five rebounds.

But, it wasn’t enough as the Jackjumpers went on a nine-point run for the 17-point win.

McCall led the Taipans with 20 points and six assists as Cairns' record for the season is taken to 9-12.