The JackJumpers imports held their own when Tasmania needed them most, as Gordon Crawford and Milton Doyle combined to deliver all of Cairns' top six hopes.
Crawford scored 25 points, including six threes, while Doyle had 17 points, eight rebounds and six assists on a packed night at the Cairns Convention Center as the JackJumpers strengthened their grip on third place with a 94-86 win.
There was just one win separating the third-placed JackJumpers and seventh-placed Taipans, and with just a point between the two teams at half-time it could have gone either way.
But Tasmania's defense was too good, forcing Cairns into mistakes with the ball, then making them pay by hitting powerful shots.
Cairns import Patrick Miller had a great night with 31 points, while Tahjir McCall scored 20 points despite starting from the bench.
There was some concern for Will Magnay after the striker left the ground with a sternum injury following a heavy collision with Taipan star Tahjir McCall, and he will be racing against time to be fit for Sunday's clash with the 36ers in Hobart.
Classy Crawford
Tasmanian import Crawford had to step up and drive from the front if the JackJumpers were to have any chance of tightening their grip on third place, and the Cincinnati native did just that.
The dynamic point guard was everywhere.
While he shot 46 percent from the field, he drained six 3-pointers on 10 attempts (60 percent), committed eight fouls and was busy on both ends of the court.
Dagger
Cairns might have gifted the JackJumpers the result thanks to Sean McDonald's stunning dagger at three-quarter time.
With 2.7 seconds remaining, Sam Waardenburg had a chance to end the quarter with the final shot of the quarter, but inexplicably went out of bounds when he released the ball.
So stepped up MacDonald, who unleashed from a step inside the half to drain the three – and give the visitors a 10-point lead at the final change.
On the charge
Will Magnay and Patrick Miller enjoyed a tense battle all evening, but almost came out on top early in the third quarter.
With the JackJumpers in possession, Magnay unleashed a shoulder attack that former dual international Sonny Billy Williams would have been proud of as he collided with Miller, sending the Taipan tumbling to the ground.
The men exchanged many words, and after a lengthy review, Magnay was charged with an attacking foul.
Magnay left the field with three minutes to go after colliding with McCall who appeared to turn his body and pin the JackJumpers striker in the chest with his shoulder.
Whose house?
JackJumpers might consider putting the logo on the side of the Cairns Convention Center given their dominance of the venue.
Tasmania has now not only won its last five matches on the Taipan, but also registered its fifth successive win at the Snakepit.
