Cairns have put a challenging week and-a-half for the local community behind them, after the trials from Tropical Cyclone Jasper and floods, to earn an uplifting BBL home win over South East Melbourne.
The Taipans answered every challenge on Friday to join the Phoenix on an 8-9 record over the NBL season, racing away to a 94-75 victory in front of a strong crowd of 3651 at Cairns Convention Centre.
Taipans coach Adam Forde was glad his team could give the local community something to cheer about.
"The fans tonight were fantastic and I know it's been a week for us, and a week for the community," he said.
"The fan base was fantastic so it was great to get this win for them and there's a lot where people don't have much to cheer about, but hopefully we gave them at least a little bit of comfort for about two hours."
The hosts put up 30 points in the first quarter to open up a double-digit advantage, but the Phoenix continued to fight back despite the absence of captain Mitch Creek with a knee injury.
Alan Williams (29 points, eight rebounds) and Reuben Te Rangi (14 points) combined for 16 of their team's 28 points in the second term, before former Taipan Ben Ayre hit two late triples to put the visitors in front.
However, every time South East Melbourne had some momentum the Taipans were able to answer. Cairns went on an 11-0 run to start the second half and blew the game open for good either side of three-quarter time.
The Snakes scored the last five points of the third period and that turned into a 13-0 run when Bobi Klintman (eight points, five rebounds) threw down a dunk to start the fourth. It was followed by three-pointers to Lat Mayen (nine points) and Bul Kuol (15 points, four rebounds, two blocks).
Cairns did well at the foul line going 20-of-22, while they forced the Phoenix into 18 turnovers from which they scored 20 points.
Import guard Patrick Miller starred with 17 points, nine assists and seven rebounds, while Kiwi centre Sam Waardenburg top-scored with 20 points. Tahjere McCall also had eight points, eight rebounds, seven assists and four steals.
South East Melbourne didn’t get enough contributors with Williams and Te Rangi combining for 43 of their 75 points, but new import Abdel Nader improved in his second outing with 12 points despite 4-of-16 shooting.
