AUS/NZL – Dorsey saves Taipans in NBL Grand Final [video]

CAIRNS (NBL) - The NBL Grand Final between New Zealand and Cairns is going to a decisive third game after massive three point shots from CJ Bruton, Ron Dorsey and Kevin Braswell turned a Game Two defensive war into a double overtime classic.

With 3.6 seconds remaining and New Zealand trailing 58-61, Bruton nailed a leaning three-pointer to send the game into overtime. There, Braswell connected on consecutive step back triples to open up a 71-67 lead with 12 seconds to play.

From a timeout import Dorsey kept Cairns’ hopes alive, draining a catch and shoot three-pointer to draw the Taipans within one. Kirk Penney then made two pressure free throws in the face of 5300 deafening Cairns fans to establish a 73-70 lead with seven seconds left.

With his team down 1-0 in the series Dorsey struck again, nailing a 25 foot jump shot over Mika Vukona as time expired to send the game to double overtime.

Both teams made plays in the second extra period but four points from Ian Crosswhite, a big triple from Daniel Dillon and two clutch free throws from Ayinde Ubaka were enough to get the Taipans home 85-81.

Defence was the name of the game from the outset - in stark contrast to the olden days of Australian basketball when the likes of Andrew Gaze and Shane Heal ruled the hardwood – New Zealand leading 14-12 at quarter time, Cairns 33-30 at half time, and scores locked 45-45 at the last break.

New Zealand shot the ball at 37% from the field to Cairns’ 33%, but the Taipans crucially committed just 11 turnovers in 50 minutes of intense basketball where the Breakers handed the ball over 19 times.

Ron Dorsey was the hero of the day, holding superstar Penney to 12 points on 4/12 shooting, 6 rebounds and 4 turnovers, while nailing a bevy of big shots to finish with 22 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks himself.

Crosswhite (15 points, 6 rebounds) was also excellent for Cairns, while Ubaka was crucial down the stretch for 15 points, despite shooting just 4/17 from the field.

For New Zealand, Braswell recovered from a slow start to finish with 18 points, 7 assists and 6 rebounds, while young gun Tom Abercrombie accumulated 17 points and 5 rebounds.

Vukona finished with 10 points and 12 rebounds, while young centre Alex Pledger pulled in 9 boards in just 15 minutes.

Game three is in Auckland on Friday night.

Paulo Kennedy
FIBA