Taipans hit back hard
02/18/2012 12:09:45 PM
The Cairns Taipans have bounced back from their crushing 32-point loss to Townsville on Friday night with a comprehensive 77-56 win over the Melbourne Tigers on Saturday night.
It was a major turnaround for the Taipans who scored a franchise-low 43 points just 24 hours earlier.
The victory keeps the Taipans in the hunt for the NBL playoffs but the Tigers will now start planning for next season.
Stung by the heavy defeat to the Crocs, the home side flew out of the blocks and had 49 points in the first half to open up a match-winning 16-point lead at the main break.
Jamar Wilson was the star for the Taipans, finishing with 25 points and seven rebounds, while Brad Hill (nine points) and veteran Aaron Grabau (13) were also impressive.
The Taipans didn't take their foot off the gas in the third term, extending the lead to 27 points as the boisterous home crowd went into party mode.
In a worrying sign for the hosts, Ian Crosswhite and Wilson both limped off with injuries in the second half.