OT Sixers win after Cotton, McVeigh show

It was the first overtime game of NBL26, Bryce Cotton went for 41 points and Jack McVeigh a career-best 39, and in the end the Adelaide 36ers prevailed 105-101 at home over a valiant Cairns Taipans.

Everything was working against the Taipans as they arrived at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre fresh off losing at home on Friday to the South East Melbourne Phoenix, and with coach Adam Forde using just a seven-man rotation.

That included imports Andrew Andrews (seven points, eight assists, seven turnovers) and Admiral Schofield (three points, six rebounds) who shot a combined 3/16 from the field before fouling out.

They were also coming up against a fresher Adelaide team who had just added a new import in the form of 371-game NBA veteran Troy Brown Jr, but through sheer will and desire, the Taipans got the game to overtime and almost pulled off what would have been a stunning win.

McVeigh was back in the city he started his NBL career and had his best ever scoring night with 39 points, eight rebounds and seven assists on 15/25 shooting, but it wasn’t quite enough.

The 36ers still had five-time MVP Cotton who had 41 points, eight assists and four steals with 7/19 three-point shooting and 12/13 at the foul line, and the home team just prevailed in the first extra five minutes of NBL26.

At 91-91, veteran Taipans centre Marcus Lee, who is playing with a pair of thumb injuries, missed a second free throw which would have put his team in the lead with 34 seconds remaining but by making the first it got the game to overtime.

Cotton had some chances as the clock wound down but was also unable to find the winning points with play going into extra time for the first time this season.

Adelaide led 51-50 at half-time and put some distance on Cairns, pushing out to a 78-68 lead heading into the final term.

But their last-quarter wobbles resurfaced and the 36ers' lead was whittled down before Lee was fouled by Isaac Humphries.

The Taipans went ahead 94-91 early in the five-minute overtime period but Humphries and Cotton helped haul their team back in front.

It was a pulsating introduction to the NBL for Brown Jr with the 36ers who made his debut just days after arriving in Australia. He was eased into action, playing 23 minutes for a return of nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.

Humphries also had 18 points and 13 rebounds in a fascinating battle with former college and Melbourne United teammate Lee while Zylan Cheatham had 16 points, eight boards and four assists.

Mojave King has joined the Taipans as an injury replacement for Alex Higgins-Titsha and continues to shine with another 21 points on 8/14 field goal shooting with Kyrin Galloway adding 14 points on 3/4 three-point shooting, and Lee 15 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

The 36ers have the quick turnaround to taking on the Illawarra Hawks still at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre in an Ignite Cup match up on Wednesday while the Taipans are back home to host the New Zealand Breakers on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

ADELAIDE 36ERS 105 (Cotton 41, Humphries 18, Cheatham 16)

CAIRNS TAIPANS 101 (McVeigh 39, King 21, Lee 15)

BOX SCORE