Adelaide keep Cairns at bay in NBL overtime thriller
Melissa Woods |
High-flying Adelaide have shaken off a gallant effort by Jack McVeigh and his Cairns outfit to hold on for a thrilling 105-101 NBL victory in extra time.
Despite the 36ers sitting second on the ladder and the Taipans last with only three wins, Cairns stuck with the home side throughout their Sunday clash at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
At 91-91, Cairns skipper Marcus Lee missed a second free throw which would have put his team in the lead with 34 seconds remaining.
Adelaide sharpshooter Bryce 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.
Jack McVeigh was key to Cairns’ strong showing, with the star forward contributing a season-high 39 points against his former team as well as eight rebounds and seven assists.
Taipans coach Adam Forde hailed his undermanned team’s effort and made mention of young Kiwi guard Mojave King, who has joined the club for a second time as an injury replacement.
“Mo was fantastic, picking up (Bryce) Cotton down one end and trying to get us points on the other end, and played 42 minutes in the process,” Forde said.
“Three weeks ago, he was not playing so just super impressed by him and super impressed by Jack.
“What a phenomenal performance from Jack.”
Adelaide led 51-50 at halftime 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.
Adelaide coach Mike Wells described it as a “really gritty win”.
“I thought our group hung together,” he said.
“There was some miscommunication, and breakdowns, but what I really loved, we had great energy throughout the game.
“We just had a few miscues in the first half and give (Cairns) credit, they played really, really well and they made shots and Jack (McVeigh) got going right in the first half.
“There was never a sense of panic.”
It was a pulsating introduction to the NBL for Adelaide’s new American import Troy Brown Jr.
With 371 NBA games to his name after stints at the LA Lakers, Chicago and Washington, Brown 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.
While Cotton was down on his haul of 53 points in his last meeting with the Taipans, the five-time league MVP still topped his team’s scoring with 41 points including five in extra time.
Humphries was also a stand-out with 18 points and 13 rebounds.
AAP
