Taipans snap road streak

The CQuniversity Cairns Taipans have had their road winning streak snapped in Sydney, after losing 82-101 to the Kings on Friday night at Qudos Bank Arena. The Taipans had won their previous three road games but were up against the Kings who were facing their first three-game losing streak in almost two years.

Pat Miller led the team with 18 points, six rebounds and six assists while Tahj McCall had 17 points, six assists and two steals. Bul Kuol had 15 points – 11 points in the first – as Sam Mennenga was important with 12 points and six boards. 

Cairns had won the first quarter in each of its last three games against Sydney at Qudos Bank Arena, and came close to maintaining the feat, leading for most of the first term thanks to three triples from Bul Kuol. 

But the Kings closed the gap in the two minutes before the first break to lead 27-24, and the Taipans did not get in front for the rest of the game.

Cairns went on to shoot just 39 per cent from the field and lost the rebound count 42-62.

There were some highlights, as Tahjere McCall showed why he one of the most dynamic guards in the competition. He found crafty ways to get to the cup, being tough in transition and drawing fouls.

McCall led all scorers with 15 points at the half, as well as a steal to maintain his streak.  He has the longest active streak of any player in the NBL recording at least one steal for his past 12 games.

Sam Mennenga was dominant in a third quarter where scoring dried on for both teams, and the game got more physical. He scored nine points in the second half.

Taran Armstrong was the best off the bench with eight points, three assists and two rebounds.

Taipans Head Coach Adam Forde admitted that it was a tough night at the office but acknowledged the team’s defensive effort.

“We were able to get some scores at the start. We couldn’t really stop the attack break by Sydney. Then there was a stretch during the third where the energy just sort of, dropped out. We did well defensively. We just kept trying to get on the rim and get some points. It was hard to tick the scoreboard over in the third, and then the fourth quarter pretty much spoke for itself,” he said.

“It's hard to try and stay motivated with reward when you’re getting some great stops. There were a lot of verticality plays at the rim, there were a lot of effort, hustle plays and then to try and tick the scoreboard over at the other end – without much luck – makes it harder to double-down defensively. Credit to the guys – they did.”

The Taipans next host Melbourne United at the Cairns Convention Centre on New Year’s Eve.