36ers hold on to win Hawks thriller

Adelaide 36ers have bounced back with a thrilling 91-88 victory against Illawarra Hawks on Monday night.

In front of another sell out crowd of 9475, import duo Montrezl Harrell and Kendric Davis led from the front for the three-point success.

On a night when the club mourned the passing of NBL legend Darryl Pearce and celebrated by retiring the number 21 jersey of Daniel Johnson, Adelaide were at their best in the opening half, scoring 63 points in the first 20 minutes.

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Harrell scored a team-high 26 points to go with nine rebounds and three assists, while Davis netted 25 points to go with eight rebounds and seven assists.

Jarell Martin played his best game in 36ers blue, scoring 16 points to go with nine rebounds, while captain DJ Vasiljevic also added 16 points.

After the visitors scored the game’s first six points, Adelaide came to life, scoring 18 of the next 22 points, Isaac Humphries (eight points, six rebounds) prominent inside the paint for an 18-10 lead.

Martin made an instant impact off the bench, swishing a three-pointer, then converting on a tough basket before two free throws from Davis gave the home side a 25-12 lead.

A team effort at the offensive end for the 36ers led by Vasiljevic’s nine points, before the Hawks responded with consecutive three-pointers, but Adelaide took a 33-25 lead to the first break.

Davis opened in the second quarter with a technical foul free throw, Martin made a tough runner as Adelaide returned to a double-digit lead.

Martin continued to score, Davis then collected his own miss for a tough jump shot and when Vasiljevic connected on a floater, the 36ers’ lead was back to 47-31.

Harrell then brought the crowd to life with a big three-pointer, then scored from a sweet Davis assist, Davis then scored two free throws as Adelaide’s advantage extended to 56-36.

Adelaide had four players in double figure points, led by Harrell with 18 as the 36ers took a 63-43 lead into the main interval.

The Hawks started the second half on a 11-0 run to cut the 36ers’ lead back to single digits, Adelaide didn’t score for five minutes before another tough jump shot from Davis.

Adelaide then battled foul trouble, Humphries picked up a fourth personal, Harrell scored a strong basket inside, then a Davis three-pointer extended the home side’s lead back to 72-60.

Davis was everywhere for Adelaide in the third quarter, scoring 10 points as the 36ers took a 75-62 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Martin swished his second three-pointer of the night to open the final quarter, then Harrell found Martin inside as the lead grew to 81-65.

But the Hawks came roaring back into the contest, cutting the margin to 84-80 on the back of a 15-3 run with two minutes remaining.

A Harrell three-point play, followed by a huge slam dunk, then Davis made a tough jump shot steadied the 36ers.

But the Hawks’ shooting was hot down the stretch, one final shot on the buzzer caught iron and Adelaide went to 10-12 on the season.

Adelaide will be back in action on Friday night when the 36ers travel to RAC Arena to battle Perth Wildcats.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 91 (Harrell 26, Davis 25, Martin 16, Vasiljevic 16) def ILLAWARRA HAWKS 88 (Froling 35, Harvey 15, Days 13, Swaka Lo Buluk 10) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Crowd: 9475
BOX SCORE