Match Report: Crowe takes charge as Blaze burn 36ers

28/OCT/2007 – Gold Coast Blaze import Jason Crowe last night knocked the Adelaide 36ers to the canvas when the game was up for grabs, his team leaving the Distinctive Homes Dome with a 94-98 win.

Crowe copped heat from Blaze coach Brendan Joyce all night, but responded with 26 points, nine rebounds and nine assists. He had crucial free throws at the death of the game to help the Gold Coast hold on for the win.

His opposite number in Brett Maher was a similar hero, scoring 24 points with six rebounds and nine assists also for the 36ers.

He and Adam Ballinger (24 points and eight rebounds) worked hard and were the main highlights for home team fans.

Ballinger scored well in the opening term and Maher was superb as the 36ers set up a 16 point buffer in the second quarter after the teams had remained level prior. At that point, the team looked on track to pull away for a big result.

The Blaze, though, did not let up and engineered a 13-0 run from 49-33 to 49-46. Import Jauquin Hawkins (15 points on 6 of 7 FG) nailed a three before Pero Cameron (20 points) slotted home a couple of long bombs in succession.

Lanard Copeland scored in the final minute of the half to have Adelaide up 51-46.

The third saw Crowe score 13 and snatch the lead for his team, the Blaze entering the final break up 75-76.

From there, the sides traded baskets until Adelaide drew level at 81-81 on the back of a couple of free throws from Neil Mottram (11 points, nine rebounds). A shot by Mike Chappell (14 points) put the home side in front, and then a free throw almost two minutes later wrested it back after a quiet patch from the 36ers.

A three pointer from Maher with less than three minutes remaining in the match, and then a two from Ballinger would be the last time Adelaide held the lead. Five free throws to Crowe out of their final seven points gave the end score line.

At 2-6 and with a streak of five-losses, Adelaide are in desperate need of a win. They host the New Zealand Breakers next round.

The Blaze improve to 4-4 and will host the Cairns Taipans on November 4.

36ers 94 (Maher 24, Ballinger 24, Chappell 14)
Blaze 98 (Crowe 26, Cameron 20, Hawkins 15)