36ers shoot down Tassie in Blitz opener

Adelaide 36ers have started their NBL Blitz campaign with a stunning 96-64 win against Tasmania JackJumpers at the Gold Coast Sports & Leisure on Monday afternoon.

The backcourt duo of DJ Vasiljevic and Kendric Davis were standouts as the 36ers took control of the contest right from the opening tip.

Vasiljevic scored a game-high 22 points to go with three rebounds while Davis paired 15 points with five assists.

Adelaide was everywhere to start the match, Lat Mayen scored on the first play, Sunday Dech hit a tough layup, Davis connected on a triple and when Isaac Humphries scored underneath, the 36ers had an 11-0 lead.

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Dech scored again on a fast break from a Humphries steal to make it 15-2 as the 36ers took control at both ends of the floor.

Vasiljevic looked to attack the basket and got to the free throw line as the 36ers extended the lead to 22-5.

Jason Cadee (14 points) hit a tough three-pointer then converted another three points  from the free throw line as the 36ers took a 31-15 lead into quarter time.

Davis, who netted 13 pf his 15 points in the opening half, continued to score as both teams traded baskets to start the second quarter.

Vasiljevic continued to drive to the hoop, but the JackJumpers started to fight back into the contest, reducing the margin to 40-29.

Dech connected on a three-pointer from the corner and Humphries scored inside as Adelaide took a 49-37 lead into the main break.

The 36ers then made Humphries a focus inside to start the second half as the 211cm big man started to attack in the low post early in the third quarter, before Vasiljevic connected from deep.

Tasmania kept the game within a 10-point margin before Adelaide lifted the defensive intensity, Cadee found an open Nick Marshall (10 points, six rebounds, three assists) for three then hit a triple of his own as the 36ers took a 73-51 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Mayen opened the final quarter with two big three-pointers as Marshall and Cadee continued to pile on the points and Adelaide extended the lead beyond 30 points.

Vasiljevic then found his range from downtown late as the 36ers took another step in their pre-season campaign.

The 36ers will be back in action at the NBL Blitz on Wednesday afternoon when Adelaide face New Zealand Breakers from 4.30pm.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 96 (Vasiljevic 22, Davis 15, Cadee 14)  def TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 64 (Doyle 16, Sword 10)  at Gold Coast Sports & Leisure Centre.

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