A second-quarter onslaught has launched the Cairns Taipans out of early bother and to a 94-85 NBL victory over South East Melbourne Phoenix on the Cairns Convention Centre.
Chasing their fourth successive win with out star ahead Keanu Pinder (ankle damage), the Taipans fell in an enormous gap on Sunday afternoon, trailing 35-24 at quarter-time and by 13 factors early within the second time period.
But they responded with a scorching 33-14 second-quarter onslaught and backed it up with a 19-13 third time period to drive house their benefit.
The Phoenix’s fourth straight defeat dropped them to sixth on the ladder, placing their finals hopes in jeopardy.
Their MVP candidate Mitch Creek had a game-high 25 factors however did not full the match after sustaining an eye fixed poke from DJ Hogg halfway by way of the fourth interval.
Captain Tahjere McCall (24 factors) top-scored for the Snakes, who had been beneath the pump early. They had been being on rebounds 12-3 within the opening quarter, throughout which the Phoenix shot a scorching 68 %.
Spectacularly, the Taipans turned it round in a high-voltage second time period.
They pinched the lead on a 14-0 run and prolonged their benefit to 57-49 when McCall drained a three-pointer on the halftime buzzer.
DJ Hogg had linked on 4-of-5 triples on the lengthy break earlier than fellow import Shannon Scott damage Phoenix at each ends.
The margin swelled to 17 factors when Majok Deng stripped Creek and completed with a lay-up.
Ryan Broekhoff and Ryan Foxwell received going within the fourth and the Phoenix by no means waved the white flag, however their process was a forlorn one whereas Creek was out of motion.
