Casper Ware stars in Melbourne United's cliffhanger win
Melbourne United star Casper Ware was playing two games during his club's clutch win over Cairns Taipans on Thursday night.
One was the contest itself, a vital one to both clubs as they chase a place in the top four, the other was his individual battle with Taipans import point guard Travis Trice who relished his chance to face the NBA quality playmaker.
Melbourne's Casper Ware had a game-high 24 points in United's match against Cairns on Thursday night.Credit:Getty Images
Trice looked to have taken both wins with a minute left as he stole the ball from Ware and set off on a fast break with his club down one point.
But both Ware and shooting guard Chris Goulding chased the former Michigan State guard down and managed to hit the ball free.
Ware recovered the ball, replays showed Ware's foot wasn't inbounds when he touched it but the whistle never sounded.
Melbourne tried to hold the ball and draw fouls but were forced into a five-second violation with 21 seconds to play.
This gave Trice the chance to snatch the lead and he did with a blazing drive and layup.
Yet with seven seconds to play, Ware returned fire pulling up and swishing a jump shot from the top of the key to put Melbourne up 79-78.
The Taipans were left with two seconds to find a game-winner – they did everything but see the ball fall in as Mitch McCarron's corner three-pointer rolled into the basket and then out as the buzzer sounded.
McCarron's head was in his hands, Melbourne's arms up high in celebration – both knew such a heartbreaking miss could eventually prove the decisive moment in the battle for a top four place.
Ware has now made two game-winners since joining Melbourne United mid-season.
Melbourne leads the season series with Cairns 2-1 leaving their clash in Melbourne on January 14 as a crucial series decider.
Ware's 24 points, five rebounds and three assists led United while Chris Goulding scored 16 points and Tai Wesley 12 points.
Trice's 15 points led Cairns while Nate Jawai had 12 points. The Taipans started strongly as Trice and Mitch McCarron's hot shooting sent them out to a 16-8 lead.
But t Jawai was sent to the bench after a technical foul, his second for the term, and Goulding caught fire hitting two late three-pointers as Cairns led 21-20 at quarter-time.
United's good offensive play didn't carry into the second term but they kept pace as Jarrad Weeks scored five late points to see his side up 44-38 at half-time.
The Taipans threatened to take the game away in the third term despite Jawai benched for his fourth foul as they took a 14-point lead midway through the quarter.
But Melbourne looked to their shooters as the Taipans lead was cut to 64-62 heading into the last term.
United (9-9 win-loss) fly back to Melbourne to host top-side Adelaide 36ers at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday at 3pm.