Isaac
Years ago
Funny Sixers downed on buzzer in overtime
It took an extra period and a well-timed three-pointer from Anthony Stewart to do it, but the Cairns Taipans ended Adelaide's season in overtime at the Distinctive Homes Dome, 103-106.
In an enthralling contest that saw the teams nearly level in every statistical category, it was that single basket which gave the 36ERS an early holiday.
Two earlier games between the teams in the regular season saw Adelaide emerge victorious with last-second baskets, and unfortunately for the home team, the result was almost due to fall the other way.
Adelaide rotated six players for much of the game with those players contributing every one of the team's rebounds and assists, and all but 6 of their 103 points. Willie Farley managed 24 points on 62% shooting with only 13 field goal attempts and played a game-high 51 minutes.
Dusty Rychart had a game-high 25 points and added eight boards, while captain Brett Maher had the 17 points and 10 assists double-double, despite going 6 of 18 from the field. NBL veteran Paul Rees, having earlier announced his retirement, made two of three field goals to contribute four points in his final game.
The leading scorers for Cairns were Aaron Grabau who had 20 points while shooting at 67% and Gary Boodnikoff who also had 20 points, but it was ex-Sixer Darnell Mee who ruined the home town party, finishing with 16 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists - 14 of his points came in the crucial final quarter and overtime.
Though Adelaide would have been fearful of in-form Taipans centre Chris Burgess, the big managed only 8 points in 35 minutes, scoring at 30%.
Overtime itself came through good fortune for Adelaide. They had trailed by two points with just four seconds remaining before a desperate transition scramble that saw Oscar Forman make a pressured lay-up literally on the buzzer to the delight of the crowd.
It was Forman's only inside score for the night, but he had earlier added three of six from long range for 12 points by the game's end.
The scores had been close for much of the game. Cairns started strongly and Sixers centre David Cooper hit the bench with early foul trouble.
But Adelaide reeled in the margin with scores from outside the arc. Mark Nash had a decent impact off the bench too with 9 points and 12 rebounds, often nabbing an offensive rebound for an easy put-back. Jacob Holmes was also effective on the glass pulling down 10 rebounds to go with 10 points.
The teams traded baskets further in the second period, Rychart leading the way for Adelaide and Nathan Crosswell having a superb 13 in the quarter for Cairns. By the main break, the Sixers were up 55-51. Rychart led all scorers with 16 and Farley and Maher were also in double figures for Adelaide.
A customary third quarter slump allowed the Taipans to get back into the game, largely on the back of Boodnikoff and a couple of threes from Stewart, and trailing by one point going into the final quarter, Adelaide was forced to play catch-up.
The fourth saw Mee control the floor, making crucial scores to push the outcome in Cairns' favour. With Adelaide up 94-93, Mee stuck a long two with around half a minute to run in regular time and then made a free throw on the next offense for 94-96. That set the scene for the most vital two points in Forman's career.
As is said from time to time, the first basket of overtime wins the game and in this instance that would ring true. Cairns broke the deadlock early and then held Adelaide at bay. The Sixers drew level at 103-apiece and almost got one last defensive stop, but a few seconds was all the visitors needed.
The inbounds pass found Stewart camped on the perimeter and Maher failed to reach him in time - all net for the Taipans and a final scoreline of 103-106, Maher's half-court heave at the end of overtime failing to hit its target.
The 36ERS joined their womens counterparts, the Adelaide Fellas, as having been struck from the finals race in the most admirable of fashions -- missing out by a single shot in overtime.
Adelaide 36ers 103 (Rychart 25, Farley 24, Maher 17, Forman 12, Holmes 10)
Cairns Taipans 106 (Boodnikoff 20, Grabau 20, Mee 16, Cattalini 14, Crosswell 13)
