Keanu Pinder’s NBL career-best masterclass has piloted the fast-finishing Cairns Taipans to a 91-82 victory over the Tasmania JackJumpers in Hobart.
The third-placed Taipans trailed by 5 factors halfway by way of the ultimate quarter on Saturday earlier than uncorking a withering 16-2 burst to win and advance to a 10-5 season report, one win shy of ladder leaders Sydney Kings and New Zealand Breakers.
MVP candidate Pinder amassed 34 factors, his private finest NBL haul and probably the most by any participant this season, whereas captain Tahjere McCall (23 factors) was significantly influential in his aspect’s 20-10 final-quarter flourish.
Jack McVeigh top-scored for the JackJumpers with 17 factors, regardless of surprisingly sitting out a lot of the primary time period and your entire second stanza.
The JackJumpers held sway 24-21 on the finish of a topsy-turvy opening quarter which comprised 9 lead modifications earlier than having the higher of the second interval.
Rashard Kelly’s triple on the halftime buzzer stretched the hot-shooting dwelling aspect’s cushion to 52-45.
Tasmania’s buffer was out to 9 factors earlier than Taipans import DJ Hogg, who was nicely held early, sparked an 11-0 spree to place Cairns in entrance.
The lead continued to vary arms both aspect of three-quarter-time, earlier than triples to Milton Doyle and McVeigh made it 80-75.
The Snakes responded in unstoppable trend.
Pinder and McCall spearheaded a 11-0 run to provide the guests the lead again and Shannon Scott added to it with a late trey.
