IT ALMOST had to be seen to be believed, but the result is now in the books. Last placed Cairns Taipans – on a 15-game losing streak – took down ladder leaders Illawarra Hawks by three points at the Hawks’ home court much to the disbelief of everyone in the NBL community.

The Taipans have struggled with injuries all season and have remained competitive amongst some blowouts, but after copping a heavy loss to New Zealand Breakers on New Year’s Eve, few thought the away trip to the WIN Entertainment Centre would bring much success barring a miracle. Then, that miracle happened, overcoming an 11-point half-time lead to put up 40 points in the third term then snatch the lead in the dying seconds to win, 108-105.

It was a match that had everything, with the script going to plan early for the title favourites. The Hawks raced out of the blocks to build a five-point lead by quarter time, and then move further ahead by the main break by 11. Then, everything changed. The best defence in the league was torn apart by a rabid Taipans offence.

They piled on a ridiculous 40 points against the Hawks to turn an 11-point deficit into an eight-point lead, keeping the home crowd speechless. But even late it looked like the Hawks would get up, regaining the lead by four points with 20 seconds remaining after an Lachlan Olbrich layup. Taran Armstrong went to the line but only scored one of two, though it put the Snakes back within a one-possession game.

With nine seconds on the clock, all the Hawks had to do was retain possession, but a turnover from William Hickey was snatched by Rob Edwards who found space just outside the three-point line and drained a triple with five seconds on the clock to tie the game.

The Hawks still had possession and the highest chance of winning, but the only way of losing – when in their defensive half – occurred when Trey Kell III turned the ball over to Armstrong. The backcourt prospect then went for the Hail Mary from half court with a second left, only to cop a foul from Hyunjung Lee right on the buzzer.

With fans unable to comprehend what they had just witness, Armstrong went to the charity stripe only needing to nail one free throw to seal the win. He nailed all three and the Taipans’ long-awaited losing streak was finally over, at the home of the mighty Hawks no less.

Armstrong starred in the win, earning Player of the Match with 28 points, six rebounds, three assists and two steals, as he and Edwards (28 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals) toppled the best back court duo in the NBL. Also chipping in with some great work off the boards and near double-doubles were Tanner Groves (17 points, nine rebounds and three assists) and Pedro Bradshaw (12 points, nine rebounds and two steals).

Tyler Harvey (23 points) was kept quieter than usual with only one assist and three turnovers, while Kell III still shone with 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists to be his team’s best player on the night. Darius Days came on for 15 points and five rebounds, with Lee (13 points, six rebounds) and Olbrich (15 points, five rebounds) working hard throughout the game.

“We stayed with it, we stayed committed,” Taipans coach Adam Forde said beaming with pride. “I’m going to let the boys enjoy this one.”

Now with back-to-back losses to the Phoenix and Taipans, Hawks coach Justin Tatum put the onus back on his players to regain their hunger from earlier in the season.

“Lack of communication and paying attention to detail,” he said. “I think we got content. You’ve got to question the guys if we’re going to waste our season.

“Not being able to finish it like we started it, you’ve got to question our guys with their motives.”