THE ADELAIDE 36ers could not end the year with a bang, falling to Cairns Taipans, 86-83, on Saturday in the 2022-23 NBL season at Cairns Convention Centre.
Kai Sotto stats December 31
It was the first loss for Adelaide since Kai Sotto was slotted in the starting center position, with the Filipino center finishing with eight points and four rebounds in 11 minutes of play.
But Shannon Scott was there to save the day for the hosts, nailing the go-ahead trey with 33 seconds left that gave Cairns an 85-83 lead.
Ian Clark could not tie the game with his jumper, leading to Tahjere McCall's split extending the lead to three.
Robert Franks had one last shot to force overtime, but his three failed to find the bottom of the net as the 36ers' four-game win streak came to a screeching halt.
Antonius Cleveland paced Adelaide with 16 points, four boards, and three assists, as Clark missed the most important of his four attempts from deep to end up with 15 points.
Scott led Cairns with a game-high 31 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
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