TAIPANS FALL JUST SHORT AGAINST UNITED
BASKETBALL: Cairns gave Melbourne a mighty fright but were unable to put the bite on the NBL champions as they suffered an 87-80 loss yesterday.
It was the last-placed Taipans’ sixth-straight loss this season and their eighth-consecutive defeat in Melbourne, and Cairns will head home lamenting what could have been.
Cairns led by one point at quarter-time, three points at half-time and by five points at the last change.
At one stage in the third term, the Taipans were 12 points in front but Melbourne seized the momentum and came charging home.
With 30 seconds left in the gripping contest, Cairns trailed by one point and were trying to inbound the ball. However, Melbourne United import DJ Kennedy intercepted a pass to help Melbourne take control and kick away.
Melbourne star import Casper Ware (34 points, six assists) was outstanding in his personal battle with Cairns point guard Melo Trimble (19 points, four assists).
Ware got support from Mitch McCarron (16 points, nine rebounds) and Kennedy (10 points, five rebounds).
Taipans man-mountain Nate Jawai had his best game of the season with 17 points, 10 rebounds and three assists, with Cairns looking good every time the ball went to their towering centre.
Import DJ Newbill had 13 points for the Snakes while fellow American Devon Hall found some form with 12 points and five rebounds.
Cairns showed plenty of fight to lead at quarter-time but the lack of poise and execution in the fourth quarter cost them again as the Taipans slumped to a 1-6 record after five rounds. They face leagueleading Perth in Cairns this Saturday.