THE Cairns Taipans have launched an official protest to the NBL after a stunning power outage forced their clash against the Brisbane Bullets to be called off with just over 90 seconds remaining.

With Brisbane leading 84-76 with 1.37 left in the fourth quarter, power was cut from the Cairns Convention Centre due to severe thunderstorms around the city, leaving the arena in total darkness.

The match was officially abandoned around half an hour after the blackout, with power only returning to the venue 45 minutes later.

As per official FIBA rules, the game was abandoned due to no indication of power being restored soon. As Brisbane led at the time of the blackour, it was handed the victory.

But the NBL received a formal protest from the Taipans after the match, with the league to conduct a full review of the decision on Monday.

Taipans and Bullets were left stunned on the court. Source: Getty Images

It wasn’t the way he wanted it but Bullets coach Andre Lemanis wasn’t complaining.

“It feels hollow, but having said that our group played well tonight, I’m very proud,” Lemanis said.

Despondent Cairns coach Aaron Fearne confirmed that the Taipans would be appealing.

“Obviously there are lots of consequences, a loss, points spreads, the series. It could have a massive impact down the stretch,” Fearne said.

“We would have had to make some special stuff to win, but I’ve been in plenty of situations where that has happened, it ain’t over until it’s over.”

Brisbane ran away with the clash in the third quarter, outscoring the Taipans 24-17 to lead by nine points at the final change.

Cairns’ Nathan Jawai with a referee. Source: Getty Images

The Taipans then matched it with the Bullets in the fourth term but still trailed by eight points when the blackout occurred.

Five Bullets players finished with scores in double digits in the 84-76 ‘victory’ — their second in a row.

Taipans forward Fuquan Edwin led a Cairns revival in the third quarter, burying a couple of contested threes but Cairns couldn’t maintain enough offensive pressure the regain the lead.

Taipans guard Damon Heuir had a career-best afternoon with 15 points while Mark Worthington was once again the Snakes’ best with 14 points.

Cairns will play Melbourne in Melbourne on Friday while Brisbane will travel to Adelaide to play the 36ers on Saturday.