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Controversial No-Call Mars Taipans' First Win
24 Sep
Summary
- A controversial late no-call overshadowed the Taipans' first win.
- Commentators heavily criticized the officiating in the final seconds.
- Tasmania JackJumpers lost a chance to cut the deficit significantly.
The Cairns Taipans achieved their first victory of the 2026-27 NBL season, triumphing over the Tasmania JackJumpers with a final score of 93-87. The win, however, was overshadowed by a contentious officiating decision in the closing moments of the game.
With just 11.5 seconds left and the JackJumpers trailing by four points, Dakota Mathias attempted a crucial three-pointer. Significant contact occurred as Keanu Pinder contested the shot, sending Mathias to the floor. Despite the clear contact, officials did not call a foul, a decision that drew sharp criticism from NBL commentators who believed three free throws should have been awarded.
This no-call effectively ended Tasmania's hopes of a comeback, solidifying Cairns' first win after an opening-season loss. The JackJumpers, hampered by a depleted roster, had fought back from a 20-point deficit earlier in the game. Coach Scott Roth was unable to comment definitively on the controversial play due to his sideline perspective.
The Taipans started strongly, establishing a significant early lead, but Tasmania displayed resilience to narrow the gap considerably before halftime. New import Jaylon Brown led Cairns with 20 points, supported by strong performances from Jack McVeigh and Kyrin Galloway, despite some ongoing questions about offensive role distribution within the team.
