Dman
Years ago
Crocs vs Taipans
RED HOT STEINDL EARNS CROCS FIRST WIN OF THE PRE-SEASON
A shooting clinic from Clint Steindl has earned the Crocs their first win of pre-season defeating the Cairns Taipans 86-71 at CQUniversity Stadium in Rockhampton.
In front of a strong crowd of 1300, the Crocs shot the lights out from the field shooting 59% from the field including an astonishing 73% from three point land.
Clint Steindl led the shooting for the Crocs with 28 points shooting 82% from the field including shooting 7/8 from three point land.
It was a massive turnaround to what we saw in Palmerston against the Adelaide 36ers where they only shot 1/15 from three point land.
The hot shooting started right from the get go as the Crocs never gave the Taipans the lead however Cairns did tie the game at the of the first quarter before a three pointer by Clint Steindl on the buzzer put the Crocs up to a 16-13 lead.
The Crocs led 42-29 at halftime with the Crocs shooting 61% from the field including 83% from three point land.
The Crocs maintained the consistent shooting form in the second half with the Crocs at one stage leading 77-58 with 5:30 left in the game.
Cairns did however reduce the deficit to 11 points late in the game, however the Crocs were too strong in the end.
The victory was more pleasing as the Crocs were without import Brian Conklin (ankle), Mirko Djeric (knee) and Corey Maynard (hand).
Along with Steindl's 28 point performance, fellow import Jordair Jett had 15 points and 6 rebounds while NBL rookie Nick Kay had 12 points and 5 rebounds.
Both the Crocs and Taipans will now travel up to Cairns for their second game on Sunday.
Guard Corey Maynard will play however Conklin and Djeric will not play.
Tip off will be at 1pm at The Fish Tank.
FINAL SCORE
Townsville Crocodiles 86
(Steindl 28, Jett 15 & Kay 12)
def
Cairns Taipans 71
(Craig 14, Starks 13, Worthington 11 & Bruce 11)
