The Cairns Taipans prevailed in an overtime classic to beat arch-rivals the Townsville Crocodiles 92-80 at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Friday night.

A Gary Ervin three-pointer sent the game into overtime and brought the crowd to fever pitch but it wasn't enough for the home side, who were out-scored 15-3 in the additional five-minute period.

The Taipans were led by Jamar Wilson (25 points, 9 rebounds) and young gun Cameron Gliddon (17 points, 4 assists, 6 rebounds). Centre Cam Tragardh compiled 11 points and 11 rebounds.

The Crocs received a strong showing from point guard Gary Ervin (23 points, 7 assists) and in-form swingman Todd Blanchfield (12 points, 5 rebounds) but were left to rue their sixth straight loss.

Taipans coach Aaron Fearne said his team needed to learn how to put games away, but was happy his side is now 3-3.

"You've got to learn how to win and we don't fully 100 per cent understand how to win," he said.

"We go up and down that roller-coaster a little bit."

Fearne said that after passing up an opportunity to win the game in regular time, Wilson told him he was going to "get it done" going into overtime.

"Jamar made some plays for us and blew it open in overtime which is what he needs to do, he needs to be our playmaker," he said.

Crocs coach Paul Woolpert said his side needed to immediately regroup for Sunday's clash against the Tigers in Melbourne.

"At times we were outstanding, at times we weren't and it's very frustrating," he said.

"We haven't won a basketball game yet (but) if you hang your head you're giving up a little bit and I won't do that and no one in our locker room will do that."

Led by veterans Peter Crawford and Russell Hinder Townsville got the edge early thanks to their quick transition game and led 20-16 at quarter-time.

Taipans swingman Brad Hill broke the game open in the second term with a timely three and the home side were on the ropes, but a strong drive and three-pointer by Blanchfield brought them back within striking distance.

The Taipans looked to pull away in the third term, Clint Steindl flying through the air for a spectacular tip-in dunk as the Taipans out-scored the Crocs 27-16 to lead by 13 at the last break.

A three-point play and fade-away by Crawford put the Crocs within four with moments left. Ervin then found Blanchfield for a dunk before sizing up his man and calmly sinking a pull-up three to tie the game.

Tragardh missed an open 15-footer for the win but the Taipans came out firing in overtime behind Wilson's clever one-on-one play.

Gliddon then broke the hearts of the home crowd with a clutch three-pointer in the corner to put his side up by 11.

"In a five minute game, which is what it comes down to in overtime, you have to get stops and we didn't do that," Woolpert said.

Cairns Taipans 92 (Jamar Wilson 25, Cameron Gliddon 17)
Townsville Crocodiles 80 (Gary Ervin 23, Jacob Holmes 15)

Crowd: 3485 at Townsville Entertainment and Convention Centre