Davis dazzles, but 36ers fall in overtime

A career-high from Kendric Davis was not enough as Adelaide 36ers fell to a 104-103 loss in overtime to Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena on Friday night.

Davis scored a game-high 39 points to go with seven assists, five rebounds and two steals and came up with some big plays, but Adelaide were unable to land the final punch.

The 36ers held a seven-point lead inside the final two minutes, but the reigning NBL champions forced the extra session, before a tip-in on the buzzer gave Tasmania the one-point win.

Big man Isaac Humphries scored 21 points to go with 10 rebounds, while Montrezl Harrell added 19 points to go with nine rebounds and seven assists.

READ MORE

• MATCH PREVIEW: Vasiljevic says 36ers ready for Tassie clash
• Brothers meet their basketball idols
• TEAM SCOUT: 36ers look to 'team first' approach
• COACHES CORNER: Tassie is our sole focus

Davis opened the scoring with a tough jump shot, DJ Vasiljevic swished a three-pointer, then Harrell threw down a big slam dunk for an early 7-4 lead.

The home side responded straight away, the JackJumpers going on a 16-6 run to take the lead at 20-13.

Humphries was a huge presence and dominant inside, scoring 11 points in the opening quarter, but Tasmania took a 30-22 lead into the first break.

Another basket from Humphries inside, then Davis hit two jump shots, his swished a three-pointer to reduce the JackJumpers’ lead to 34-30.

Lat Mayen got to the free throw line, Davis came with a steal and layup and when Harrell scored inside, the 36ers took the lead back at 36-34.

Another Davis layup, then Harrell scored inside before Vasiljevic swished a three-pointer in transition as the Adelaide lead grew to six points.

Davis then found his way to the free throw line, Humphries continued to score as the 36ers erased a 10-point JackJumpers lead during the first half and went to the main interval with a 53-41 advantage.

A hot start to the third quarter from Davis, scoring four quick points, and a three-pointer from Harrell gave Adelaide a 62-49 lead.

But three straight three-pointers from the home side saw the JackJumpers reduced the Adelaide advantage to 64-57.

Jarell Martin made two tough drives to the basket then threw down a big slam dunk from a Harrell assist as the 36ers took a 74-65 lead into the final 10 minutes. 

Vasiljevic swished a three-pointer to open the final quarter, but Tasmania went on a 9-2 run to cut the margin to 79-74.

Another three-pointer from Davis extended the margin back to eight points before the JackJumpers went on another 7-0 run and reduced the 36ers’ lead to one point.

Davis hit another three-pointer, before finding Humphries under the basket, then Humphries scored after another huge offensive rebound, then Harrell found Mayen for a 95-88 lead.

But the home scored the final seven points of the final quarter to tie the scores at 95-95 at the end of regulation.

Tasmania took the lead for the first time in the second half to start overtime, before another three-pointer from Davis gave Adelaide a 98-97 advantage.

The JackJumpers then scored the next five points for a 102-98 lead before Davis eclipsed his NBL best scoring night, then a three-point play from Harrell gave the 36ers a 103-102 advantage.

But the tip-in on the buzzer was ultimately the difference between the two sides.

Adelaide will be back in action on Monday night, when the 36ers host Illawarra Hawks at the Entertainment Centre from 7pm ACDT.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 104 (Deng 26, Doyle 22, Drmic 16) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 103 (Davis 29, Humphries 21, Harrell 19) in overtime at MyState Bank Arena.
BOX SCORE