The Taipans have continued their dominance within the Sunshine Stoush, defeating the Bullets on Wednesday evening.
Catch up with all of the Round 11 NBL motion right here.
Kuol evokes Taipans to Sunshine Stoush victory
– Matthew McInerney
Keanu Pinder strengthened his MVP case however the evening belonged to Bul Kuol as Cairns claimed a sixth straight win within the NBL’s Sunshine Stoush with an 85-76 win towards the Bullets.
While the Taipans struggled to hit the goal within the opening minutes of the primary time period and trailed by as a lot as eight, they quickly performed their method again into the lead – and by no means appeared again.
Pinder, who appears to thrive in robust match-ups towards contact centres, did so once more as he got here up towards Boomers star Aron Baynes, on his technique to an eighth double-double of the season.
The Nyigina man produced one other usually robust efficiency within the Taipans’ Indigenous Round conflict, stuffing the stat sheet with 12 factors, 15 rebounds, two steals and a block.
While he labored within the paint, Bul Kuol’s affinity for giant nights towards the Bullets continued as he hit a game-high 23 factors, which included 4 threes.
Kuol was immense, and landed massive photographs regardless of strolling the tightrope with three fouls by the principle break.
“We came out a bit low but I think we picked up the energy and created a run for us,” he stated at halftime.
“My teammates are doing a good job finding me in transition.”
Tahjere McCall had one other massive evening with 13 factors, eight rebounds and 7 assists, whereas DJ Hogg had 15 factors.
The Bullets have endured a troublesome interval, with Greg Vanderjagt taking up the interim teaching reins from Sam Mackinnon to grew to become the membership’s third coach in a month.
While the Bullets welcomed new import Andrew White II, who solely stepped off the aircraft 48 hours in the past and completed with 9 factors. They have been additionally with out Tyler Johnson, who was a late omission as a result of a knee harm.
Mareeba product Baynes, in his first sport in Cairns since earlier than he left for the NBA, began strongly, scoring eight-straight factors as Brisbane constructed an early lead. He completed with 17 factors, 5 rebounds and two assists.
Nathan Sobey completed with 13 factors, whereas Gorjok Gak had 10.
WOUNDED WAARDENBURG
There was appreciable concern for Cairns massive Sam Waardenburg after he went down early within the third quarter.
As he drove to the bucket for a lay-up, Brisbane’s DJ Mitchell flew throughout to placed on some stress, however as he jumped his hip collected Waardenburg flush on his face.
He hit the deck onerous and play was stopped for a number of minutes as he obtained remedy, however managed to stroll from the ground beneath his personal energy.
He didn’t return as a result of concussion, and might be monitored forward of the Taipans’ conflict with the JackJumpers on Saturday.
BUL’S BUNNIES
There’s simply one thing concerning the Bullets that brings the most effective out of Bul Kuol.
He was hitting at 70 per cent from the sphere towards the Bullets heading into the competition, a run which incorporates the eight long-range bombs he dropped at Brisbane in his rookie season.
As Cairns struggled to hit the mark to begin, Kuol didn’t miss, dropping three from vary to maintain the scoreboard ticking over.
SOBEY’S TOUGH NIGHT
It’s not usually Nathan Sobey has an evening like this, however even when the goal isn’t fairly locked the Boomers guard is a menace.
Sobey has taken on lots to assist lead the under-fire Bullets via this robust interval, however he simply couldn’t discover his shot on Wednesday evening.
He missed his first six area targets, lastly scoring a degree within the second time period, had six misses from past the arc earlier than lastly touchdown a blow from vary, however nonetheless managed to complete with 13 factors.
Both groups will hit be in motion towards on Saturday, with the Taipans travelling to Tasmania to fulfill the JackJumpers and the Bullets off to Adelaide for a date with the 36ers.
Originally printed as Cairns Taipans win sixth-straight Sunshine Stoush over Brisbane Bullets
