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Goal bonanza no saviour for Snakes

Murray Wenzel

Monday, February 11, 2013

© The Cairns Post

 

A HEART to heart with his father has helped Jamar Wilson cope with the shocking feeling of a double-overtime loss to Townsville's Crocodiles in the highest-scoring game in the NBL this season.

Wilson was emotionally shattered and physically spent following the 111-108 Saturday night defeat in the heart of enemy territory.

"He said the only thing to do was not give in. It's easy to pack it in in these situations but that's not what I'm here for," he said.

The Taipans had held a comfortable lead only to allow their opponents back into the contest.

A double digit lead was whittled to six at three quarter time, but extended to nine on a pair of Clint Steindl three-pointers.
That disappeared though and it finished 83-apiece at the end of regular time.

And then, on the back of another up-and-under Shane Edwards dunk, a five point lead in overtime looked to have clinched the win.

But again the Crocs rallied and when they got their chance in the second extra period, did not hesitate.

It was the first time an Aaron Fearne-coached Taipans team had eclipsed 100 points, but it still wasn't enough to get a win they desperately needed.

"Gutted doesn't even come close. We had some tough calls go against us, but we keep giving teams an opportunity to get back in the game," Wilson said.

"I was watching Mick (Downer, assistant coach) run through the game on the way home on the plane and I was just cringing with every missed shot."

Wilson scored 18 of his 23 points in the final 14 minutes of the game and had nothing left on the final buzzer.

"They usually say in those situations that the toughest team wins, but I think both teams were equally tough. It was pretty cool; trading baskets but doing it under some pretty tough defence," he said.

Peter Crawford nailed 30 points for the hosts to pilot them home, including a massive three in overtime when they were all but gone.

The Taipans were cruising early when Cam Gliddon hit the first 10 points for the side in a 13-point first quarter.

They extended the margin to eight at half time but then Crawford and Gary Ervin (28 points and six assists) became desperate to concoct a comeback victory.

 


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Big points: Croc's Jacob Holmes and Taipans' Jamar Wilson watch as Cairns' Alex Loughton tries to stop Towsnville's Gary Ervin under the basket. Picture: Evan Morgan.





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