20 Mar 2011

Jones the difference as Cairns go fourth

7:56 am on 20 March 2011

Former Tall Black Phill Jones was the difference for his Cairns Taipans as they pipped fellow playoff hopefuls the Wollongong Hawks 68-67 in their National Basketball League match.

Jones drained a huge three-pointer with just over a minute to play to silence the Wollongong crowd.

The Taipans move above the Hawks into fourth place and in playoff contention, overcoming a 15-point deficit in the third quarter with an incredible 21-4 run between the third and fourth quarters.

The Hawks must now win their final game, and hope the Taipans drop their final two games.

Jones drained five threes on his way to a game-high 19 points and Ayinde Ubaka had six of his 10 points in the fourth to help guide Cairns home.

Cairns now need one win from their two remaining games to clinch a playoff berth.