Taipans strike back with massive fourth quarter

The Cairns Taipans had their backs to the wall, were down 12 and produced a scintillating 35-point fourth quarter with 14 from Jaylon Brown for the 107-95 win despite Cole Anthony's 40 points for Melbourne United.

The Snakes arrived at John Cain Arena on Saturday night fresh off three road defeats so far by a combined 58 points as they took on a United team back home and smarting after a narrow loss to Tasmania on Thursday too.

It was a tight battle through the first half with the Taipans leading by four at quarter-time and then by one at the half before Cole Anthony took over in the third quarter.

He scored 16 of his 40 points for the night in that 35-point third term for Melbourne as they built a 12-point lead and were still up nine by three quarter-time.

Then the Snakes turned the game on its head with 12 straight points to start the fourth and put up 35 for the quarter to turn that nine-point deficit into a 12-point win to improve to 2-3.

Brown had just six points on 1/9 shooting to three quarter-time, but then was up to 20 points with 4/13 shooting and 9/10 at the foul line by the end to go with four rebounds and four assists.

Keanu Pinder top scored with 27 points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals with Reyne Smith producing 21 points, five boards and four assists on 5/10 shooting from the outside.

Jack McVeigh also had 20 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals, Malique Lewis nine points, five boards, four assists and two steals, and Jonah Bolden nine points and 10 rebounds.

Melbourne are now 1-3 to start the season despite the 40 points from Anthony on 11/26 shooting with 16/17 from the foul line.

Malith Machar put up 14 points in 14 minutes on 3/4 shooting from deep with Josh Oduro contributing 11 points and 11 rebounds, Luke Travers 10 points, eight boards and three assists, and Joe Ingles eight points, four rebounds and two assists.

Both teams were attempting to respond to losses earlier in the round and it was a scrappy opening quarter, but by the end of it Cairns were leading 18-14 with six points apiece from Jack McVeigh and Jonah Bolden.

Each team found their offensive flow in the second quarter with Melbourne putting up 32 points on 9/16 shooting from the field and 13/15 at the foul line.

But it was Cairns clinging to the 47-46 lead by half-time with 29 points themselves on 9/18 shooting including 6/10 from the outside and Reyne Smith and Keanu Pinder were both up to 12 points with Cole Anthony having 18 for United.

Melbourne then took control in the third quarter and piled on 35 points with 16 of those courtesy of Anthony as they opened up a 12-point lead and were still on top 81-72 by three quarter-time.

The Snakes had their backs against the wall, but they responded in the best possible way, scoring the first 12 points in two minutes to open the fourth quarter and suddenly take the lead.

Cairns would end up racking up 35 points for the quarter with 14 courtesy of Jaylon Brown including a pair of three balls and the Snakes shot 10/16 from the field and 12/13 at the foul line to secure what is a mighty impressive against the odds win.

Melbourne will now try to bounce back on the road to the Adelaide 36ers in an Ignite Cup by 7-Eleven match up on Wednesday night before the Snakes host the Brisbane Bullets in a Sunshine Stoush on Thursday.

MELBOURNE UNITED 95 – CAIRNS TAIPANS 107

Melbourne United
Cole Anthony – 40 points, 4 rebounds, 16/17 FT
Malith Machar – 14 points, 3/4 3PT
Josh Oduro – 11 points, 11 rebounds
Luke Travers – 10 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists
Joe Ingles – 8 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists

Cairns Taipans
Keanu Pinder – 27 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Reyne Smith – 21 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Jaylon Brown – 20 points, 4 rebounds, 4 assists
Jack McVeigh – 20 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 3 steals
Jonah Bolden – 9 points, 10 rebounds