Davis dazzles as 36ers win thriller

An outstanding display from Kendric Davis has propelled Adelaide 36ers to a thrilling 102-100 victory against Illawarra Hawks at WIN Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.

Adelaide fought back from a seven-point final quarter deficit, Davis with the go ahead three-pointer with just over 60 second remaining.

The contest came down to the final play, with Sunday Dech playing tough defence on Tyler Harvey, his three-pointer caught iron and Adelaide won two games within 48 hours.

Davis was everywhere, scoring a game-high 32 points to go with four assists and three rebounds, while DJ Vasiljevic added 18 points with five rebounds.

Isaac Humphries came up clutch down the stretch with 17 points and eight rebounds, while Montrezl Harrell recorded another double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds.

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Davis started the contest on fire, stealing the ball on the opening play to score a layup, then connected on a three-pointer before finding Humphries and Adelaide had a 7-0 lead.

The former Santa Cruz Warrior made his first four field goals, and when he connected on his second three-pointer, the 36ers had a 20-11 lead.

Illawarra fought back late in the opening quarter, going on a 12-0 run as the Hawks took a 32-27 lead into the first break. 

A big tip dunk from Alex Starling opened the second quarter as Harrell started to make an impact, while Davis continued to score, but the Hawks still held a 41-35 lead.

Vasiljevic started to get busy at the offensive end, but foul trouble plagued the 36ers’ new frontcourt pairing with Humphries and Harrell picking up two personals each by midway through the second quarter.

Davis controlled the game in the opening half, scoring 19 points in the first 20 minutes as the 36ers fought back from an eight-point deficit, but the Hawks took a 54-52 lead into the main interval.

Humphries attacked the hoop to start the third quarter and when Dech connected on his first points of the contest from downtown, the 36ers regained the lead 57-54.

Vasiljevic again looked to take over, attacking the hoop, Davis swished another three-pointer and Harrell got to the free throw line as the 36ers continued to lead 68-65.

Adelaide extended the lead to six points after two free throws from Humphries, but the Hawks fought back late to tie the game at 81-81 going into the final 10 minutes.

Illawarra started the fourth quarter with a 7-0 run as the 36ers missed their first seven field goals before Harrell scored under the basket.

Davis looked to take over the game, hitting a tough jump shot before converting a three-point play as Adelaide reduced the Hawks lead to 92-89.

Humphries gave Adelaide the lead three times in the final four minutes as the game went basket for basket before Davis turned into the hero, connecting on the three-point dagger for a 101-100 lead.

Harrell pulled down a huge rebound and added a free throw to extend the lead to two points before the 36ers came up with a stop when it needed it most.

Adelaide will be back on home court this Friday night when the 36ers host Sydney Kings at the Entertainment Centre from 7pm. 

ADELAIDE 36ERS 102 (Davis 32, Vasiljevic 18, Harrell 17, Humphries 17) def ILLAWARRA HAWKS 100 (Kell 29, Harvey 22, Days 12) at WIN Entertainment Centre.
BOX SCORE