The Cairns Taipans earned a hard-fought 93-76 road win over the Illawarra Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre on December 6, 2025. Cairns' defense was the foundation of the victory, limiting the Hawks' scoring opportunities and capitalizing on turnovers to secure a 17-point margin. After a competitive first half, the Taipans tightened the screws defensively in the third quarter, going on a run that broke the game open. Illawarra could not find consistent offense against Cairns' disciplined scheme. The match result provided a positive end to the round for the Taipans, showcasing their resilience on the road.