BOXSCORE


A fourth-quarter burst from Andrew Warren has sparked the Cairns Taipans to a 72-67 win over the 36ers at Adelaide Arena on Saturday night.

In a tight, low-scoring contest Warren found space to drop 11 points in the final term and 25 for the game.

An elusive Jamar Wilson was also influential at the end, finishing with 16 points, while Ian Crosswhite was a defensive rock and finished with 14 points, six rebounds, three assists and three blocks.

The Sixers led for large chunks of the contest and won the rebound count 42-31, but when the pressure was applied they were unable to respond on the scoreboard.

Diamon Simpson fought hard when the intensity lifted for 16 points and 11 rebounds, while Daniel Johnson collected 15 and 11.

The Sixers started brightly, Johnson leading them to a six-point buffer before Taipans coach Aaron Fearne called a time out midway through the first quarter.

The break saw momentum swing and the Taipans went on a 10-2 run.

With three seconds left on the clock Wilson drove into an empty key to give the visitors a two-point (18-16) advantage at quarter-time.

Stephen Weigh had Adelaide out of the blocks early in the second quarter, the 36ers reclaiming the lead and taking a 37-34 half-time edge thanks to an offensive intercept and bucket from Simpson.

Adelaide then grabbed the initiative after the break behind some strong defensive efforts and a long-range basket from Johnson.

The Taipans dogged attitude ensured they were always in striking distance though, their disruptive defence drying up the 36ers’ scoring run.

A triple to Warren gave them a brief lead before a Mitch Creek bucket had the Sixers back in front 50-49 at the last break.

Warren was left unguarded in the fourth and he dropped three long-range bombs to give the Taipans a decisive break Adelaide could not reel in.

Cairns Taipans 72 (Warren 25, Wilson 16, Crosswhite 14)
Adelaide 36ers 67 (Simpson 16, Johnson 15, Warren 10)

Crowd: 6194 at Adelaide Stadium, Adelaide.