TOWNSVILLE (NBL) - The first ever playoff 'Reptile Rumble', game one of the semi final series between the Cairns Taipans and Townsville Crocodiles, has turned into an NBL classic.

Both teams played with ferocious intensity, with the home town Crocs holding the edge for the first three quarters and taking a 51-45 lead into the final term. Cairns responded though, and Boomers squad member Alex Loughton came to life with three baskets to open the quarter after shooting 2/8 until that point.

Struggling Taipans import Ayinde Ubaka joined the party, nailing two enormous triples to give Cairns a three point lead and silence the 5000 plus crowd. Three-pointers from Michael Cedar and Will Blalock regained the lead for Townsville, and when FIBA Oceania veteran Peter Crawford connected on two free throws the Crocs were almost home.

Ubaka had saved his best for last though, hitting an amazing triple from four metres behind the three point line with 0.4 second remaining to send the game into overtime, 67-67.

Five points from Crawford opened up an early lead for the Crocs in overtime, but when all seemed lost the Taipans struck again. A back door dunk and an acrobatic fast break lay-up from Cairns import Ron Dorsey bringing the margin back to two points.

Townsville captain Russell Hinder then connected on just one free throw and Cairns had the chance to force double overtime. They created an open shot for Dorsey which rimmed out, leaving the Crocs 76-73 victors in a game for the ages.

Crawford (17 points, 4 rebounds, 3 steals), Cedar (13 points) and Schenscher (15 points, 14 rebounds) led a spirited team effort for Townsville, while Ubaka (19 points, 4 assists), Dorsey (17 points, 7 steals, 6 rebounds) and Loughton (14 points, 6 turnovers) led the way in double figures.

Game two is Saturday night in Cairns in front of a sell-out crowd of 5300, with game three in Townsville if necessary on Sunday week.

Paulo Kennedy
FIBA