Davis stars as 36ers take down Kings

An electrifying display from import point guard Kendric Davis led Adelaide 36ers back into the NBL top six after a 105-96 win against Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday night.

Davis scored a team-high 30 points to go with six assists and five rebounds in a brilliant four-quarter performance as the 36ers went on a 17-2 run in the third quarter to finish with a nine-point victory.

Montrezl Harrell was dominant inside for 23 points and 11 rebounds and Isaac Humphries was crucial at both ends of the court for 19 points, nine rebounds and four blocks.

Sunday Dech showed huge spark off the bench for 13 points, while captain DJ Vasiljevic scored 10 of his 12 points in a massive final quarter effort.

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Humphries opened the scoring inside, then Davis found Lat Mayen outside for a three-pointer before Harrell saw Humphries open in the paint for a 7-2 lead.

The Kings responded from the three-point line, but Humphries continued to score inside and when Davis swished his first three-pointer, Adelaide had a 19-13 advantage.

Davis took over, scoring seven straight points, then Jason Cadee swished a three-pointer and Jarell Martin got to the free throw line for a 28-20 lead.

Harrell threw down a big slam dunk before Dech scored on back-to-back fast break plays as the 36ers took a 34-23 advantage into the first break.

Sydney started the second quarter with a 5-0 run before Davis got to the free throw line and Humphries threw down a slam dunk for a 38-31 lead.

Harrell threw down another big dunk, then Humphries continued to score inside and Dech again found the basket again in the open court for a 47-40 advantage.

The Kings, through Jaylen Adams (43 points), went on a 12-2 to take the lead for the first time since the opening basket and his three-pointer on the buzzer gave Sydney a 55-52 lead at the main interval.

Harrell opened the scoring in the second half, but the Kings built their advantage to five points at 59-54.

Adelaide responded with a 17-2 run with Davis, Harrell and Humphries prominent as the 36ers got a double-digit lead back at 71-61.

Sydney bounced back with a 7-0 run before another tough drive from Dech, then Davis got back to the hoop and Harrell scored inside as Adelaide took a 78-73 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Davis continued to score, then Harrell had back-to-back baskets as the 36ers started the final quarter on a 6-0 run.

Harrell then dived across the floor to gain an extra possession which ended in a Vasiljevic three-pointer to give Adelaide the biggest lead of the contest at 87-75.

Vasiljevic swished another three-pointer, then converted on a three-point play as the 36ers’ lead increased to 14 points at 93-79.

Davis found another basket, Harrell scored in the paint before Davis found Humphries again inside.

The Kings stormed home late, cutting the Adelaide lead in half in the final three minutes, but the 36ers steadied from the free throw line to move to a 12-13 record.

Adelaide will be back in action on Sunday afternoon when the 36ers host New Zealand Breakers at the Entertainment Centre from 4pm ACDT.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 105 (Davis 30, Harrell 23, Humphries 19, Dech 13, Vasiljevic 12) def SYDNEY KINGS 96 (Adams 43, Kuol 12, Cooks 12) at Qudos Bank Arena.
BOX SCORE