Though this was just the second game of the series, a rabid crowd and a tenacious opposition ensured the occasion was just as tense as any game three. The pressure was palpable as the Breakers prepared to in-bound the ball with 1.2 seconds on the clock, with Cedric Jackson finding Ibekwe who turned around and released in one motion to spark wild celebrations.
It was an appropriate venue for the Breakers to become just the fourth club to win four ANBL titles. The last playoff game they hosted at their spiritual home saw them cutting down the nets against Cairns to earn a maiden championship.
Four years later and little has changed - except for the size of the club's trophy cabinet.
There was no doubting the experience the Breakers have amassed in the last five years helped them cope with a Cairns side that refused to go down quietly.
Ekene Ibekwe of the Breakers makes the winning shot. Photo / Getty Images
Mika Vukona, the Breakers' most battle-hardened veteran, kept his side in front in the final 20 seconds by draining a couple of clutch free throws. Tom Abercrombie, playing on his hometown court , led all scorers with 19 points, while Cedric Jackson had 14 in the first half to set the tone.
Jackson's fast start left Cairns needing to recover from what, in the last fortnight, has become a customary opening onslaught from the newly-crowned champs. Every basket was being greeted with ear-splitting applause and, making half their shots from the floor, the Breakers led by seven heading to the second period.
Cairns were almost as accurate, though, pulling within a point in the second and slightly edging the period to pull within five at the major break. Cedric Jackson certainly appeared up for the occasion in the opening half, showcasing some scintillating moves while driving to the hoop and leading all scorers with 14.
But, with Jackson going quiet, it was the Taipans' key men who helped their side back into the game. First Cam Tragardh scored eight quick points to see Cairns sneak back within one and, enjoying a healthy advantage in the rebounding count, the visitors took their first lead of the series late in the third.
The Breakers trailed by a point with 10 minutes to play and, with Shaun Bruce nailing a dagger triple, the visitors soon led by five. Cameron Gliddon soon followed suit to take his personal tally to eight in the quarter and further increase the Taipans' advantage.
But Abercrombie's huge triple brought the Breakers back within two and that's where the margin remained heading into the final 60 seconds. Vukona fought hard for second-chance points to lock it up and then put his side in front from the free-throw line, only to watch Scottie Wilbekin level the game.
Enter Ibekwe.
Breakers 83 (Abercrombie 19, Jackson 15, Ibekwe 14)
Taipans 81 (Tragardh 17, Gliddon 16, Craig 16)
HT: 44-39
