36ers go down to Bullets on the road

Despite bright performances from Nick Marshall and Keanu Rasmussen, Adelaide 36ers have fallen 102-83 to Brisbane Bullets at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Friday night.

Marshall scored 13 points, grabbed six rebounds and dished two assists, while Rasmussen had a career-high 10 points to go with five assists and five steals, but the 36ers were playing catch up all game in the 19-point defeat.

Isaac Humphries scored a team-high 16 points to go with six rebounds, while Adelaide had five players in double figure points, including Jason Cadee (13 points), Sunday Dech (13 points) and Jarell Martin (12 points).

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Rasmussen was rewarded with his impressive debut last round and inserted into the starting quintet, but the hosts started on a 12-2 run sparked by Casey Prather (33 points) and Tyrell Harrison (19 points, 18 rebounds).

Marshall and Rasmussen got to the basket, then Dech swished a three-pointer to cut the Bullets lead in half after an early time out.

Cadee, in his 100^th game as a 36er, came off the bench and made an instant impact, scoring seven first quarter points, but the Bullets took a 34-24 lead into the first change.

The Bullets extended the lead to 13 points on the first play of the second quarter, but the 36ers responded straight away.

Humphries scored inside, Marshall again attacked the hoop and when Dech connected on his second three-pointer, the Brisbane advantage was sliced to 37-31.

Brisbane continued to score at a high rate, the Bullets extending their lead back to double figures, before Marshall continued to score.

Humphries fired late in the second quarter, scoring on consecutive possessions and when Cadee stole the ball and hit a three-pointer right before the buzzer, the Bullets’ lead was cut to 53-47 at the main break.

Rasmussen started the second half by continuing his attack at the basket, converting on a three-point play, while Marshall also kept the scoreboard ticking over.

Adelaide cut the margin back to just three points, but Brisbane responded with a 12-4 run to get back their double-digit lead.

Points started to dry up at both ends, but when Rasmussen found Dech for a corner three-pointer, Brisbane’s lead was reduced to 75-64 with 10 minutes to play.

Martin and Dech found space inside the keyway Dech also got to the free throw line, and when Martin swished a triple, the Bullets’ lead was cut back to seven points.

After a time out, Brisbane went on an 11-0 run to build the lead back to double digits and the 36ers were unable to make one final push.

The 36ers will be back in action on home court on Sunday afternoon when Adelaide host Perth Wildcats at the Entertainment Centre from 4pm ACDT. 

BRISBANE BULLETS 102 (Prather 33, Harrison 19, Norton 17) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 83 (Humphries 16, Marshall 13, Dech 13, Cadee 13)  at Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
BOX SCORE