Andrews orchestrates United's demise in Bendigo

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Cairns Taipans secured a thrilling 93-92 victory against Melbourne United at Red Energy Arena in front of 4,003 fans. Andrew Andrews' outstanding double-double performance helped the Taipans edge out United in a contest featuring 33 lead changes.

The loss was Melbourne's seventh in their past nine games.

Key Details

• Result: Cairns Taipans 93 def. Melbourne United 92
• When: Tuesday, January 7, 2026
• Where: Red Energy Arena, Bendigo
• Standings: Check current NBL standings

By the Numbers

• Jack McVeigh (Cairns Taipans) starred with 20 points, nine rebounds, four assists, one steal in 40 minutes
• Chris Goulding (Melbourne United) scored 27 points, one rebound, one assist in 30 minutes

What Happened

The contest proved to be an instant classic, with neither team able to establish sustained control throughout the four quarters. Melbourne United opened strongly with a 22-29 first-quarter performance, but Cairns responded with a dominant 14-33 second period to take a 43-56 halftime advantage.

The third quarter saw Melbourne mount a comeback, outscoring the visitors 30-33 to narrow the deficit heading into the final period.

The fourth quarter epitomised the evening's back-and-forth nature, with both teams trading baskets in a tense 17-17 stalemate. With 33 lead changes throughout the contest, the margin rarely extended beyond single digits, creating an electric atmosphere at Red Energy Arena that kept the 4003 spectators on the edge of their seats until the final buzzer.

Jack McVeigh delivered a masterful performance for the Taipans, showcasing exceptional efficiency with his 7-from-11 shooting from the field. His ability to contribute across multiple facets was crucial, as he cleaned the glass effectively with nine boards while facilitating the offence with four assists. Sam Waardenburg provided excellent support with 20 points on outstanding 7-from-9 shooting, including perfect 2-from-2 from downtown, along with nine rebounds of his own.

For Melbourne United, Chris Goulding led the charge with a game-high 27 points, connecting on 5-from-11 triples and demonstrating his clutch ability from the charity stripe with 6-from-7 free throws.

Milton Doyle contributed 15 points despite a challenging 6-from-15 shooting night, while Finn Delany added 14 points with efficient 5-from-9 field goal shooting. However, the hosts struggled collectively, managing just 41.77% from the field compared to Cairns' exceptional 61.54% shooting.

The Taipans' superior ball movement proved decisive, as they registered 22 assists compared to United's 14 dimes. Andrew Andrews orchestrated the offence brilliantly with 13 assists alongside his 13 points, creating numerous scoring opportunities for his teammates.

Defensively, Cairns forced nine turnovers while committing 16 of their own, but their offensive efficiency more than compensated for the ball-handling struggles.

This narrow victory continues Cairns' campaign in what has been a competitive NBL season, while Melbourne United will rue their missed opportunity on home court. The one-point margin highlighted the fine margins at the elite level, with both teams demonstrating the quality that makes the NBL such an entertaining competition.