Melbourne United thump Cairns Taipans for fourth straight win, send warning to NBL rivals

MELBOURNE United sent an ominous warning to its NBL rivals after claiming a fourth consecutive win in Cairns on Wednesday night.

MELBOURNE United sent an ominous warning to its NBL rivals after claiming a fourth consecutive win in Cairns on Wednesday night.

Ladder-leading United’s momentum continues to build after it became just the third team to score a win in Cairns this season.

It thumped the Taipans, by 83-65, to spoil the 300-game celebrations for former Melbourne big man Mark Worthington, who scored a game-high 22 points.

Guard Stephen Holt was Melbourne’s best with 19 points, six rebounds and two assists.

“The last time we were here we lost and we didn’t shoot the ball well and we didn’t compete hard and they beat us on the boards,” Holt said.

“The physicality of it got to us (that time), so coach (Dean Demopoulos) emphasised to play hard in the post.

“We had to be aggressive and hit some shots tonight.

“It was a great team win on the road.”

Mark Worthington takes on Majok Majok. Picture: STEWART McLEAN

Melbourne shared the points around with Chris Goulding (19 points), Nate Tomlinson (11 points, four assists), Hakim Warrick (14 points, eight boards) and Daniel Kickert (12 points, four boards) all starring.

Demopoulos sprung a surprise early with Warrick starting the game ahead of fellow big man and usual starter Majok Majok.

United opened the game positively with a 6-0 run on the back of long triples from Goulding and Todd Blanchfield.

Cairns was able to steady through Worthington, who scored eight points in next to no time to fire up the home crowd.

The visitors were able to lead by three points at quarter-time after a tight and low-scoring opening term.

Melbourne’s strong start continued into the second term with guards Holt and Tomlinson leading the way.

Stephen Holt looks for the easy lay up. Picture: STEWART McLEAN

Cairns is a notoriously tough venue to play at, but Melbourne was well in control to the surprise of the locals.

Tomlinson drained a massive three-pointer from downtown – his third for the half - on the buzzer to give Melbourne an 11-point lead at half-time.

Cairns coach Aaron Fearne told Fox Sports at half-time his side was “well off” in the first half.

The Taipans responded with much better energy and intent in the third quarter, but it counted for little on the scoreboard.

United weathered the storm and then went on the attack, destroying Cairns with some deadly outside shooting.

Goulding hit two triples in a minute and then Kickert joined the party to blow out the margin to 19 points at three quarter-time.

Cairns made a run early in the final quarter, but every time Melbourne had an answer.

Melbourne and Cairns will meet again at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Friday night.

Hakim Warrick tries to stop Markel Starks getting to the basket. Picture: STEWART McLEAN

Originally published as Melbourne United thump Cairns Taipans for fourth straight win, send warning to NBL rivals