Brisbane Bullets secured their seventh victory of the season with a narrow 107-104 triumph over the Cairns Taipans at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre during the much-anticipated Sunshine Stoush. Star players Casey Prather and Keandre Cook led the charge, combining for 65 points, propelling the Bullets past their Queensland rivals and improving their record to 8-8.
The game was highlighted by electrifying performances from both teams, but it was the Bullets who emerged victorious, showcasing their resilience after suffering from a recent dip. Brisbane, having secured three wins from their past four games, approached this clash determined to notch another win and maintain their place among the league's top contenders.
The Cairns Taipans, seeking their first victory since October 6, made the trip to Brisbane with hopes of breaking their troubling losing streak. The first quarter saw the Taipans come out strong, launching multiple three-pointers to dominate the scoreboard, only to be matched by the Bullets' response. Prather, who finished with 35 points, quickly became the focal point for Brisbane, ensuring they kept pace with the Snakes.
Pedro Bradshaw and Rob Edwards were instrumental for the Taipans, with the duo contributing significantly to their first-half performance, combining for 30 points at shooting rates nearing 65%. By halftime, the Bullets managed to finish with a narrow lead, 56-54, thanks to key plays from Cook and Prather.
Brisbane coach Justin Schueller expressed pride after the game, saying, "A lot happened tonight we weren't ready for. To find some resolve and get through it, I'm just proud we stayed with it and found a way." Despite losing James Batemon to hamstring injury early, the remaining players steered the team to victory.
The second half unfolded much like the first, filled with exhilarating exchanges. After yielding the lead briefly to the Taipans, the Bullets fought back to edge ahead by three points entering the final quarter. It came down to the wire as the Taipans attempted to stage one last comeback, trailing by just two points with under 10 seconds remaining.
Cairns' Alex Higgins-Titsha made things interesting by hitting a three-pointer, bringing the score closer before the Bullets missed free throws - holding the door ajar for the Taipans. Although the Snakes managed to create one final shot attempt at the buzzer with Edwards’ desperate long-range effort, it fell short, securing the win for the Bullets.
Schueller continued to praise the performances of Prather and Cook, saying, "I thought Dre made some key big shots at big moments. This is some of the best basketball I have seen Casey play." The importance of teamwork and adjusting to the game flow was evident, underscoring the Bullets' dynamic chemistry after prior struggles.
For Cairns, this loss marked their 13th straight defeat, sinking them to the bottom of the league standings at 3-14. Adam Forde, the head coach of the Taipans, noted the turnovers as key to their defeat, stating, "When you look at the box score, what stands out is points off turnover. We made silly errors and they capitalized on our mistakes." His team's performance, though gritty, continued to show the impact of injury and difficulty finding their rhythm this season.
- acknowledgments to players like Taran Armstrong, who shone brightly with 16 points and full of promise as the season progresses for the struggling Taipans.
The Bullets are set for another test as they travel to take on the Adelaide 36ers on Christmas Eve, hoping to build on the momentum from this hard-fought win. Meanwhile, the Taipans will be hosting the league's top team, Melbourne United, for their next game, seeking to end their disappointing streak.
The Sunshine Stoush proved once again to be more than just another game; it was a thrilling exhibition of local rivalry, spirited competition, and the unyielding drive of the players and coaches alike.
