Hot shooting Snakes bite Hawks

The Cairns Taipans put in an impressive offensive display with Reyne Smith, Jaylon Brown, Jack McVeigh and Jonah Bolden combining for 16 three-pointers as they continued the struggles of the Illawarra Hawks with the 110-100 win.

The Snakes arrived at the Win Entertainment Centre on Sunday having won their past couple of games to be building momentum ahead of facing a Hawks team desperate to respond to a tough Friday loss on the same floor to the Tasmania JackJumpers.

Cairns produced an outstanding offensive display from the outset putting up 28 points in the first quarter, 29 in the second, 29 in the third and closed it out with 24 in the fourth.

That's how they secured the 10-point win despite getting up four fewer shot attempts and getting to the foul line 10 less times with Illawarra collecting 13 offensive rebounds to three.

The Snakes shot 58 per cent from the field including 18/38 form beyond the arc including McVeigh going 5/9, Bolden 4/5, Smith 4/7 and Brown 3/7.

Cairns are now 4-3 with the third straight win with McVeigh showing the way with 32 points, three rebounds and four assists.

Bolden delivered 20 points, eight rebounds and four blocks, Keanu Pinder 19 points and six assists, Brown 14 points and nine assists, and Smith 14 points.

The Hawks are now 1-6 following the pair of home losses this weekend despite winning the possession game, but they just allowed the Taipans too many good looks and shot 49 per cent themselves with 11/30 from deep.

The big men pair of Sam Froling (16 points, 12 rebounds, three assists) and Makur Maker (18 points, nine rebounds) was a shining light for Illawarra.

Davo Hickey also had 13 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Wani Swaka Lo Buluk 11 points and two steals, and Tyler Harvey 11 points, three rebounds and three assists.

But Milton Doyle was scoreless on five shot attempts with five assists while Kelan Martin had eight points on 2/8 shooting.

The teams came into the last match up of Round 4 with opposite momentum and the Snakes kept theirs going opening a 10-point lead in the first quarter and Jack McVeigh was already up to 13 by quarter-time.

But Illawarra worked back into the contest and the Cairns lead was back to 28-27 with Kyle Adnam providing a spark for the team home with eight points on 2/3 three-point shooting.

The Snakes took control once again in the second frame and opened up a 17-point lead at one stage but again the Hawks responded and remained in touch by half-time.

Cairns were leading 57-50 with McVeigh up to 18 points while Jaylon Brown had 11 with five assists while Makur Maker was having an impact for the Hawks with 11 points and eight rebounds.

The same trend continued in the third quarter with Cairns working back on top with Reyne Smith knocking down a couple of three-point daggers.

McVeigh added another seven points while by three quarter-time Keanu Pinder was up to 17 points and six assists, and Jonah Bolden 13 points and seven rebounds.

Cairns were leading 86-77 by the end of three but five quick points to open the last quarter from Sam Froling had Illawarra back within four.

The Taipans answered with the next five points and continued to answer every challenge, including a huge bucket from McVeigh with just under four minutes to go, to take a seven-point lead ahead of the eventual 10-point win.

The Hawks now don't play again for a full week ahead of facing Melbourne United on the road next Sunday with the Snakes having until Saturday when they're also at John Cain Arena against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 100 – CAIRNS TAIPANS 110

Illawarra Hawks
Makur Maker – 18 points, 9 rebounds, 6/7 FG
Sam Froling – 16 points, 12 rebounds, 3 assists
Davo Hickey – 13 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists
Tyler Harvey – 11 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Lamar Patterson – 11 points, 4 assists, 2 steals

Cairns Taipans
Jack McVeigh – 32 points, 4 assists, 3 rebounds, 5/9 3PT
Jonah Bolden – 20 points, 8 rebounds, 4 blocks, 4/5 3PT
Keanu Pinder – 19 points, 6 assists, 2 rebounds
Reyne Smith – 14 points, 4/7 3PT
Jaylon Brown – 14 points, 9 assists, 3 rebounds, 2 steals