THE Taipans slumped to their fourth-straight home loss last night, 83-76 in overtime against a Ben Madgen-led Sydney Kings.

Despite rallying from five down at three-quarter time, the Taipans left their home court with nothing to show again, and the Kings extended their impressive record in the Far North to 15-4.

Madgen, the league’s leading scorer, hit 29 points, including four steadiers in overtime, while former Taipan Ian Crosswhite iced the win with an alley-oop in the final stages.

Earlier Brad Hill (15 points) rallied for Cairns, scoring 10 final quarter points to help Cairns back into the lead.

But again it was Madgen with the answers, his silky skills around the rim helping the visitors to a two-point advantage with one play remaining.

Jamar Wilson (19) raced to the hoop but missed his lay-up, however veteran Dusty Rychart was there to tip it in and send it to overtime.

But the hosts fumbled their first two carries in the extra period, allowing the Kings an early five-point buffer that they were able to extend by full time.

The Kings had dominated the boards 22-11 in the first half, thanks to Crosswhite (11 points,  7 rebounds) and Darnell Lazare (12 and 14).

The Kings took a 44-32 lead into the half on the back of seven fast points  at the death from Corin Henry, while Cam Tragardh had been busy under the rim for the Snakes with 10 first half points.

It was Madgen who started the smoothest, with nine points in the first six minutes of play before foul trouble slowed his progress.

Sydney Kings 83 (Madgen 29, Henry 15) Defeated Cairns (Wilson 19, Hill 15)

Crowd: 4253 at the Cairns Convention Centre

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