The Cairns Taipans slumped to their fourth straight home NBL defeat with an 83-76 overtime loss against a Ben Madgen-led Sydney Kings on Friday night.
Despite rallying from five down at three-quarter-time, the Taipans left their home court with nothing to show once again, and the Kings extended their impressive record in the Far North to 15-4.
Madgen, the league's leading scorer, hit 29 points including the decisive makes in overtime, while former Taipans centre Ian Crosswhite iced the win with an alley-oop in the final stages.
Earlier Brad Hill (15 points, 4 rebounds) rallied for Cairns, scoring 10 final-quarter points to help his side back into the lead.
But again it was Madgen with the answers, his silky skills around the rim helping the visitors to a two-point advantage with one play remaining.
Jamar Wilson (19 points, 7/20 field goals, 4 assists) raced to the hoop but missed his lay-up, however veteran Dusty Rychart was there to tip it in and send it to overtime.
But the hosts fumbled their first two carries in the extra period, allowing the Kings a five-point buffer that they managed to hold on to.
Corin Henry (15 points, 4 assists), Darnell Lazare (14 points, 12 rebounds) and Crosswhite (11 points, 7 rebounds) all provided invaluable support to Madgen.
Madgen started the game in smooth fashion with nine points in the first six minutes before foul trouble slowed his progress.
After an even 15 minutes the Kings took a 44-32 lead into the half on the back of seven late points from Henry, while Cam Tragardh had been busy under the rim for the Snakes with 10 first-half points.
The Kings had dominated the boards 22-11 in the first half, thanks to Crosswhite and Lazare, and ultimately it would be their offensive rebounding in overtime that sealed another stirring road win.
AAP
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