THE Taipans have gone from embarrassing to emphatic tonight in Cairns to defeat the Melbourne Tigers 77-56 and all but end the Victorians' hopes of a post-season campaign.

The win comes 24 hours after a franchise-low total of 43 against Townsville and keeps them in the hunt for their own finals run.

After one of the club’s lowest points on Friday night, Cairns exploded in front of nearly 5000 home fans for a 27-point first quarter.

By half time they already had 49 points, with point guard Jamar Wilson (25 points, 7 rebounds) making up for Friday’s quiet effort to lead the way.

As the deficit blew out to 27 in the third , the Tigers’ defensive work rate dropped alarmingly and it meant the Snakes could clock off early and coast to another home victory.

Worryingly for the hosts though, both Ian Crosswhite and Jamar Wilson seemed to limp through the second half, with  Crosswhite only clocking 18 minutes.

Former Taipans Dan Dillon and Ron Dorsey spent the bulk of the second and third quarters on the bench and scored just five points between them.

Myron Allen top scored for Melbourne with 13, while Cam Tragardh had 12. But they were outplayed off the boards 43-31 and never showed the fight required after the Snakes’ frenetic start.

Continuing his Indian summer, Aaron Grabua finished with 13 points and four rebounds, while Brad Hill (9 points, 5 rebounds) also showed ticker.

Cairns 77 (Wilson 25, Grabau 13) Defeated Melbourne 56  (Allen 13, Tragardh 12)
Crowd: 4872 at Cairns Convention Centre

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