Basketball: Taipans ride Breakers revival

TAIPANS 84 BREAKERS 73

The New Zealand Breakers fought back from a 22-point deficit but could not overhaul the Cairns Taipans in their Australian National Basketball League (ANBL) clash in Cairns tonight.

The Taipans held on to prevail 84-73 to remain unbeaten after two matches.

Trailing 34-45 before a raucous fullhouse of 5000 at the Cairns Entertainment Centre the Breakers rallied to within three with four minutes left before they dipped into foul trouble.

Top scorer Ben Melmeth (18) fouled out of the game in the final quarter, effectively ending the Breakers fightback.

Casey Frank and Brad Williams both contributed 12 points. They next face the Wollongong Wolves away on October 11.

Forward Marcus Timmons led the way for the Taipans with 21 points.

- NZPA