36ers go down to Phoenix on the road

Adelaide 36ers has fallen to a 106-86 defeat to South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena on Saturday night.

Despite big games from Kendric Davis (24 points, eight assists, six rebounds) and Isaac Humphries (17 points, 10 rebounds, three blocks) the 36ers fell to their ninth loss of the season in the 20-point defeat.

Montrezl Harrell added 15 points with four rebounds, while Lat Mayen had 10 points and five rebounds.

In the first Open-Air game hosted by the Phoenix at John Cain Arena, the home side started with an 8-0 run before Lat Mayen connected on a corner three to open Adelaide’s scoring.

Adelaide then responded with a 10-0 run with Humphries scoring seven straight points as the 36ers took their first lead at 10-8.

Phoenix then went on an 11-6 run to get back the lead before Harrell made an impact with back-to-back baskets to give Adelaide back the lead 20-19.

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The inside presence of Humphries and Harrell combined for 15 points in the opening quarter, but the Phoenix took a 26-22 lead into the first break.

Keanu Rasmussen (nine points, three rebounds, two assists, two steals) connected on a corner three-pointer to cut the Phoenix lead to 31-27, but then the home side went on an 11-2 run to open a 42-29 lead.

Davis started attacking the basket, scoring on consecutive attempts and Harrell kept scoring, but South East Melbourne took a 56-38 lead into the main interval.

Rasmussen made a tough basket and Humphries continued to score, but the Phoenix remained on top and increased their lead beyond 20 points.

Mayen scored five straight points, then Davis got going late in the third quarter, hitting the triple before finding Jarell Martin (seven points, three rebounds) for a slam dunk, but the Phoenix took an 83-71 lead into the final 10 minutes.

The home side started the final quarter with three, three-pointers in the first three minutes to extend their lead back to 20 points.

Rasmussen had some tough drives, but the Phoenix had all the answers as the 36ers move to a 7-9 record for the season.

Adelaide will be back in action on Christmas Eve when the 36ers host Brisbane Bullets at the Entertainment Centre from 5pm ACDT.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 106 (Walton Jnr 28, Hurt 23, Glover 15) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 86 (Davis 24, Humphries 17, Harrell 15) at John Cain Arena.
BOX SCORE