JAMAR Wilson provided the early steam before his American teammate tore the roof of the Cairns Convention Centre with a ridiculous final quarter to give the Taipans a much-needed 85-71 win against the Melbourne Tigers on Friday night.

JAMAR Wilson provided the early steam before his American teammate tore the roof of the Cairns Convention Centre with a ridiculous final quarter to give the Taipans a much-needed 85-71 win against the Melbourne Tigers on Friday night.

Wilson had 19 points before he was rested on his fourth foul with the game still in the balance in the final quarter.

But enter Edwards, who strung together some of the most entertaining play the Cairns club has seen in years.

A left-handed tip in jam gave them an eight point lead to equal their biggest margin of the night, but that was just the beginning.

It was the first of a quick 11 points from the import, who raised the roof with another massive jam and smooth jumper to extend the lead to 12.

Still not happy, and obviously still hot despite the time-out, Edwards then drained a three from the corner to complete a dream 90 seconds for the Snakes.

And just when the crowd thought they had seen it all, he muscled to the rim for another massive dunk to seal the win with two minutes left on the clock.

While Tigers stars Jonny Flynn (14 points), Chris Goulding (15 points) and Seth Scott (13) had kept the Tigers within range all night, they had no answer to Edwards’ onslaught.

The Taipans had committed just three turnovers heading into the final break, led by their guard Wilson who won his much-hyped battle with Flynn.

But the lead was just four, and should have been two when Lucas Walker was open under the hoop.

His dunk fell out, and Cameron Tragardh (18 points) made his mid-ranger before Edwards stole the show.

It was the win the Taipans needed as they keep their finals hopes alive despite starting the round at the bottom of the ladder.

Crowd: 4059 at the Cairns Convention Centre

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