36ers win thriller in front of record crowd

Adelaide 36ers have won their fourth straight match, an 87-84 success against Brisbane Bullets in front of a record home crowd at the Entertainment Centre on Thursday night.

The 36ers, with 9263 approving fans in the stands, came roaring back from an eight-point deficit in the third quarter as a late Tyler Johnson three-pointer hit iron and Adelaide claimed an important three-point win to move to 10-8 for the NBL23 season.

Robert Franks scored a team-high 18 points to go with six rebounds, Anthony Drmic super important with an 11-point, 11-rebound double-double and Antonius Cleveland adding 13 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four steals.

Kai Sotto, who started his fourth straight game, had an instant impact around the rim at both ends of the floor as the 36ers looked to push the ball in transition right from the opening tip.

Brisbane, who snapped a five-game losing streak in their 97-93 overtime win at home against Perth Wildcats on Tuesday night, had guard Nathan Sobey in top form again.

Sobey, who had just five points in his last game at the Entertainment Centre, was on fire early for the Bullets, scoring 10 first quarter points as the hosts took an early 18-13 lead.

36ers new recruit Ian Clark, coming into the game after four minutes, had his moments early, including a tough three-point play against Sobey.

Adelaide attacked the hoop to great effect and when Sunday Dech stole the ball to find Cleveland in the open floor on the buzzer at quarter time, the 36ers had a 29-27 lead.

The Bullets went to a zone defense early in the second quarter to great effect, going on a 12-3 run to open up a seven-point lead at 39-32.

Clark hit a long triple and Cleveland sparked the home side back into the contest, then Clark hit another three-pointer to bring the fans to a frenzy at 45-45.

Kyrin Galloway had instant effect off the bench, nailing a triple as the Bullets stayed in the game from the free throw line and off of tough offensive rebounding.

Franks then attacked the hoop for two tough baskets, and then found Hyrum Harris underneath as Adelaide took a 54-51 lead to the main break.

Adelaide missed their first seven field goal attempts of the third quarter before Franks got the scoring underway for the home side, but the Bullets took a 64-56 lead and the momentum.

Galloway again sparked Adelaide with another triple fresh off the bench as the 36ers tried to find an avenue past the Bullets zone to limited effect, Brisbane going into the final 10 minutes with a 66-62 lead.

The 36ers picked up their intensity to start the last quarter, a Cleveland layup tied the game at 68-68 and then the import swingman gave Adelaide the lead 70-68 from the free throw line.

Drmic hit a three-pointer to give Adelaide a five-point lead, but Sobey continued to have a great night, hitting big shot after big shot as Adelaide’s lead was reduced to one point with just over three minutes remaining.

But Adelaide showed their poise, as Sobey picked up three fouls in the one play phase to foul out with a game-high 24 points with 50 seconds to play.

A late three-pointer from Andrew White III cut the lead to 85-82 and the 36ers gave the Bullets another chance with a turnover, but Franks was clutch at the free throw line.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 87 (Franks 18, Cleveland 13, Drmic 11) def BRISBANE BULLETS 84 (Sobey 24, Krebs 13, Johnson 12) at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

BOX SCORE