Taipans Too Strong for Phoenix

The Phoenix were in Cairns for their third game in a week and were again without starters Gary Browne and Trey Kell for the clash with the third-place Taipans.

A solid first quarter saw the Phoenix jump out to a 35-24 lead, but a poor offensive performance in the second, where the Phoenix scored just 14 points to the Taipans' 33, saw the lead at the half 57-49 the Taipans way. 

The third was a struggle offensively for both teams, with the Taipans taking the honours 19-13. 

The Phoenix found some of their first quarter rythm in the final quarter, outscoring the Taipans 23-18, but a poke in the eye to Mitch Creek, which saw him miss the final six minutes, meant any comeback from the Phoenix was likely going to fall short. 

The Taipans held on to win by nine points.

Phoenix return home for an eight-day break before a sold-out crowd at the State Basketball Centre sees them take on the Bullets in a must-win game on Monday, January 16.

The Result

South East Melbourne Phoenix  94-85  Cairns Taipans

The Numbers

Phoenix
Creek: 25 points, seven rebounds
Broekhoff: 17 points
Williams: 16 points, ten rebounds

Taipans
McCall: 24 points 

The Turning Point

A tale of two quarters

The Phoenix were firing in the first, hitting 35 points, before the Taipans held them to 14 points in the second. 

That quarter proved to be the difference.

The Play of the Game

Foxwell Threes

When Phoenix looked done, youngster Owen Foxwell stepped up, hitting back-to-back threes to ignite the Phoenix comeback.

Player of the Game

Mitch Creek

Creek continues his season-best form in 29 minutes; he contributed 25 points, and seven rebounds before a poke in the eye saw him miss the game's last four minutes.

From the Coach

Simon Mitchell

"The guys fought hard. It's been a really diffiuclt couple of weeks for this team. Obviously losing Mitch tonight, it was really good to see those guys in his absence step up and make a contest of it and give ourselves the best opportunity to win. But we've got to be better."

From the Player

Ryan Broekhoff

"Proud that the group didn't give up but disappointed in the way that we played. We started off the game really well but fell into the trap you can with Cairns taking early shots and igniting them into their break."

Phoenix Media (08/01/23)