Humphries, Kell fire, but Sixers fall in OT

Huge games from Trey Kell and Isaac Humphries were not enough for Adelaide 36ers in a 111-101 overtime loss to Cairns Taipans at Cairns Convention Centre on Saturday night.

Adelaide started with all the momentum and the visitors had a 16-point lead in the third quarter but were unable to finish off down the stretch as the home side made all the big plays.

Star guard DJ Vasiljevic had the chance to win the game at the end of regulation, but his three-pointer caught iron with the score tied at 94-94.

Humphries scored a team-high 28 points to go with 11 rebounds, while Kell added 25 points, seven rebounds and three assists and Vasiljevic added 19 points with four rebounds.

Tahjere McCall scored a game-high 30 points to go with nine assists and eight rebounds, Patrick Miller had 25 points with eight assists, but it was Akoldah Gak who was a standout for the home side, pairing 21 points with 14 rebounds.

Coming off back-to-back wins in front of sold-out crowds at home, Adelaide attacked the hoop early, Kell and Humphries getting to the free throw line as the 36ers started by scoring the first 15 points of the contest.

Nick Marshall, playing his 50^th NBL match, swished a three-pointer, Jacob Wiley scored inside and Kell continued to score from the foul line before McCall connected from downtown.

McCall scored consecutive baskets as the home side fired back into the contest with their own 7-0 run to cut the Adelaide lead to 15-7.

Vasiljevic swished his opening triple and Humphries was on target in the paint as the 36ers’ lead increased to 22-7.

Cairns ended the opening quarter on a 20-6 run, and when Josh Roberts connected on his first three-pointer of the season as time expired, the Taipans had cut the 36ers lead to 28-27 at the first break.

McCall put the home side in front for the first time in the match on the opening possession of the second quarter, but the 36ers hit back straight away, McCarron finding Dech on the break for a 32-31 lead.

The Taipans started to put heat on the rim through Miller and Bul Kuol as the home side opened up a 37-34 lead.

Kell and Humphries got to the free throw line to keep the scoreboard ticking over, then Vasiljevic nailed his second three-pointer for a 46-45 lead.

Marshall pulled up in transition to swish a three-pointer, Kell did the same thing on the next play as Adelaide took a 56-53 lead into the main interval.

Kell opened the second half with two tough jump shots, Humphries kept attacking the basket and when Wiley sliced down the keyway to score, Adelaide’s lead increased to 64-55.

Wiley scored again as the 36ers lead went to 67-55, but Gak’s huge game continued for the home side as the Taipans looked to the 210cm big man almost every possession.

Gak scored on three consecutive offenses as the Adelaide lead was cut to 69-61 before the visitors went on an 8-0 run led by Humphries and Vasiljevic.

Adelaide’s lead ballooned to 77-61, the biggest of the contest, but Cairns fought back yet again, the home side went on an 8-0 run before Lat Mayen fouled out and the 36ers took an 82-72 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Josh Roberts (12 points) opened the final quarter as a huge spark for the Taipans, rebounding and scoring with hustle as the home side cut the margin to single digits.

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Humphries continued to score inside, converting a three-point play, then Kell got back to the foul line as Kuol fouled out.

Miller looked to put his side on his shoulders, Bobi Klintman scored on the fast break as Cairns went on an 8-1 run to cut the 36ers’ lead to just 90-86.

The Taipans took all the momentum and when McCall scored in the lane, the game was tied at 92-92, then Vasiljevic’s shot at the buzzer missed, forcing an extra five minutes.

Gak gave the Taipans the lead for the first time since the second quarter to start overtime and when McCall connected from the baseline then scored on the break, the Cairns lead was 100-94.

Cairns had all the momentum and as much as Adelaide tried to get back into the game, the Taipans made the clutch plays when it mattered most.

Adelaide is back on the road this Wednesday night when the 36ers travel to the State Basketball Centre to battle South East Melbourne Phoenix.

CAIRNS TAIPANS 111 (McCall 30, Miller 25, Gak 21) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 101 (Humphries 28, Kell 25, Vasiljevic 19) in overtime at Cairns Convention Centre.

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