The Taipans have taken the match against the New Zealand Breakers in a nail-biting game. The score was 85-83, with Cairns pushing past the Breakers to secure their victory.

With just two wins in their last eight games, the Breakers are desperately trying to snag the second spot to avoid the play-in tournament as per the new rule of NBL.

However, the clash between table second and third teams ended with some tense moments, as both teams were neck and neck until Cairns’ Bul Kuol sealed his team’s win by scoring two free throws in the last few seconds of play.

The Taipans were quick out of the gates and opened up an early 7 points lead at the end of the first half with a scoreline of 21-14.  Their supremacy over the home team New Zealand continued in the second period too, where the visitor team Cairns extended their lead, and the score was 48-40.

McDowell-White made two crucial three-pointers just before halftime to close the gap to eight points just before halftime. The Breakers made only six of their total 17 attempts in the first half.

Breakers chased the game very well from the beginning of the third quarter. In this quarter, they converted all their free throws (FT) and earned valuable 15 points by scoring from five quick 3-point made.

As a result of the great display of the host Breakers’ end of the third half, they were just 3 points behind Cairns. The score was 68-65, and the game was well set for a grand finish in the final quarter.

The last quarter was highly competitive, as both teams fought hard to victory. But in the end, it was Taipans who held their nerve and won by just 2 points.

Cairns’ captain Tahjere McCall, Bul Kuol, and DJ Hogg each scored 18 points to lead their side to victory.

A total of 30 of the Breakers’ 40 first-half points came from McDowell-White and Jarrell Brantley.

White scored match highest 29 points, along with 5 assists and rebounds, while Brantley chipped in 25 points and a total of 14 rebounds.

Taipans coach Adam Forde was happy with the win despite everything being done to lose it at the end. The New Zealand coach Mody Maor was disappointed with the team effort and was looking forward to bouncing back in the next match.