36ers go down to United on the road

The three-game Adelaide 36ers winning streak came to an end with a 106-79 defeat to Melbourne United at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon.

After a promising start for the 36ers, the home side took control in the final three quarters for the 27-point success.

Big man Isaac Humphries toiled hard for Adelaide, scoring 16 points with six rebounds, while Kendric Davis added a team-high 17 points and Montrezl Harrell had 12 points with nine rebounds.

Sunday Dech (eight points) started with a big three-pointer, Humphries threw down a big slam dunk, then Dech swished another triple and when he spun and scored at the rim, Adelaide had a 12-10 lead.

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Humphries went to work inside, scoring seven straight points before Nick Marshall (eight points, three rebounds, three assists) swished a jump shot to give Adelaide a 21-20 lead.

Lat Mayen threw down a big baseline slam dunk, Harrell scored underneath and when Davis scored his first points, the 36ers took a 29-24 lead into the first change.

Humphries continued his dominance in the paint, then Davis scored on back-to-back trips as Adelaide kept a 39-35 advantage.

United responded, going on a 7-2 run to take the lead 42-41, forcing Mike Wells into a time out.

Adelaide got to the free throw line late in the second quarter through Davis, but United continued to score, Humphries with 14 points in the opening half but Melbourne took a 58-52 lead into the main interval.  

Vasiljevic scored on the first play of the third quarter, but United then went on a 9-0 run to open a 67-54 lead.

The 36ers offense dried up but kept United scoreless for over three minutes, Melbourne extending their lead to 17 points after a Marcus Lee dunk.

Mayen scored from a fast break, but Adelaide was reduced to just eight points in the third quarter as United took a 79-60 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Adelaide started the final quarter with renewed intent, but Melbourne continued to execute as both sides traded baskets.

United were too strong in the second half, holding the 36ers to just 37 points in the last 20 minutes.

Adelaide will be back in action next Sunday afternoon when the 36ers return home to battle Tasmania JackJumpers at the Entertainment Centre from 4pm ACST. 

MELBOURNE UNITED 106 (Clark 18, Loe 16, White 15) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 79 (Davis 17, Humphries 16, Harrell 12) at John Cain Arena.

BOX SCORE