In a stunning display of resilience and determination, the cellar-dwelling Cairns Taipans have handed the league-leading Illawarra Hawks their second defeat in the span of a month. The Taipans, who were riding a 10-game losing streak at home, overcame a massive 22-point deficit to shock the Hawks 100-94 in front of an electric crowd at the Cairns Convention Centre.
A Tale of Two Halves
The night began as a nightmare for the Taipans, who found themselves staring at a 63-41 deficit early in the third quarter. The Hawks’ suffocating defense had held Cairns to a paltry one assist in the entire first half, as the league leaders appeared poised to cruise to an easy victory.
But in a remarkable turn of events, the Taipans came out of the locker room with a newfound sense of purpose. Led by the shooting heroics of Todd Blanchfield, who knocked down five of his first six three-pointers off the bench, Cairns chipped away at the lead, ultimately leveling the score with just over five minutes remaining.
A Rollercoaster Finish
In a nail-biting final few minutes, the Taipans managed to pull ahead by nine points with 2:30 left on the clock. But the Hawks, anchored by the scoring prowess of Tyler Harvey, refused to go down without a fight. They whittled the margin back to a single point with 90 seconds remaining, setting the stage for a heart-stopping finish.
Cairns import Pedro Bradshaw had a chance to ice the game at the free throw line but missed three consecutive attempts. However, he redeemed himself by sinking his fourth, followed by two clutch free throws from Tanner Groves to seal the improbable victory for the home team.
Heroes Emerge
The Taipans’ balanced attack was spearheaded by Rob Edwards, who poured in a team-high 22 points before fouling out late in the contest. Sam Waardenburg (18 points), Pedro Bradshaw (17 points), and Tanner Groves (15 points) also made significant contributions in the upset win.
“It’s been a tough season, everything we’ve gone through, injuries and what not, so a win like this, on the home court finally, it’s a great feeling. Every guy stepped up for us.”
– Sam Waardenburg, Cairns Taipans forward
Implications for the NBL Standings
The Hawks’ loss drops their record to 17-9, allowing the chasing pack of Sydney (16-10), Melbourne (16-10), and Perth (15-10) to close the gap in the standings. With the regular season winding down, the race for playoff seeding has become more intriguing than ever.
For the Taipans, snapping their home losing streak and claiming a second scalp over the league leaders serves as a much-needed boost in an otherwise challenging season. The absence of guard Taran Armstrong, who was a late scratch due to back soreness, makes the victory all the more impressive.
Looking Ahead
As the NBL regular season enters its final stretch, both the Taipans and the Hawks will look to build upon the lessons learned from this thrilling encounter. For Cairns, the challenge will be to maintain the level of intensity and cohesion that fueled their remarkable comeback. The Hawks, meanwhile, will aim to shore up their defensive lapses and rediscover the form that has made them the team to beat this year.
One thing is certain: if these two teams cross paths again in the postseason, basketball fans across Australia will be in for an absolute treat. The Cairns Taipans have proven that, on their best night, they have the talent and the heart to compete with anyone in the league. And the Illawarra Hawks, despite this setback, remain a formidable force with championship aspirations.
As the old adage goes, it’s not how you start, but how you finish. On this unforgettable evening in Cairns, the Taipans showed that even the most improbable of comebacks is possible with unwavering belief and a never-say-die attitude. It’s a lesson that will serve them well as they navigate the challenges that lie ahead, and one that the rest of the NBL would be wise to heed.
