Davis stars, Dech heroics in thriller

Adelaide 36ers have opened the NBL25 pre-season with a thrilling 97-96 win against Brisbane Bullets at Wulanda Recreation Centre in Mount Gambier on Wednesday night.

A stunning four-point play from swingman Sunday Dech with six seconds remaining was ultimately the difference in the contest, the 36ers denying a last second shot from the Bullets to secure victory.

Import point guard Kendric Davis was everywhere for Adelaide, scoring a game-high 25 points to go with six assists and three steals.

Local fan favourite Nick Marshall starred in front of his home crowd, scoring 18 points and grabbing three rebounds, while DJ Vasiljevic added 13 points.

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It was the Davis show right from the opening tip-off, his steal to find Lat Mayen (10 points) for a fast break dunk forcing Brisbane into an early time out.

The 36ers were locked in on defence, Davis prominent at both ends of the floor as Adelaide took a 25-15 quarter time lead.

Brisbane fought back hard to start the second quarter, the Bullets going on a 9-0 run before Marshall connected on a turnaround jump shot.

Davis returned with instant impact, scoring on consecutive trips down the floor as both sides traded baskets. Adelaide’s new import point guard scoring 20 points in the opening half as the 36ers took a 45-44 lead into the main break.

The 36ers turned up the heat at the defensive end to begin the second half, Adelaide opening up a nine-point lead.

Brisbane again fought back, hitting consecutive three-pointers, but the 36ers got to the free throw line to take a 71-68 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Marshall stepped up to open the final stanza, scoring five straight points and when Jason Cadee swished a three-pointer, Adelaide’s lead was back to double figures.

But the Bullets showed fight yet again, going on a 9-0 run to take the lead 91-90 with just over two minutes remaining.

Davis stepped up again, swishing a three-pointer for a 93-91 lead, but Brisbane scored on the next two possessions to have a 96-93 lead with 30 seconds to go.

Brisbane restricted Davis and stopped him playing the role as hero, enter Dech, who swished his triple while also getting fouled.

The Paris Olympian calmly sunk the extra free throw and Adelaide stopped the Bullets’ final chance at victory, Keandre Cook’s jump shot catching iron as the buzzer sounded.

Adelaide will be back in action next Monday when the 36ers open the club’s NBL Blitz campaign against Tasmania JackJumpers on the Gold Coast.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 97 (Davis 25, Marshall 18, Vasiljevic 13) def BRISBANE BULLETS 96 (Smith-Milner 19, Adel 17, Batemon 15) at Wulanda Recreation Centre, Mount Gambier.

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