Harrell shines but 36ers go down to Phoenix

A huge second half comeback was not enough as Adelaide 36ers went down 105-99 to South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Adelaide came roaring back into the contest, erasing an 18-point half time deficit to take a five-point lead in the final quarter but were unable to come up with the clutch plays down the stretch.

Montrezl Harrell led the 36ers’ fightback, scoring 23 of his team-high 25 points in the second half, while Kendric Davis had a dominant first half to finish with 23 points and seven assists.

Jason Cadee was huge for 15 points, seven rebounds and three assists, while Sunday Dech and DJ Vasiljevic both added 11 points.

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The home side started the game on a 8-0 run before Lat Mayen (six points, four rebounds) scored inside on a tough drive.

Davis swished a three-pointer, then found his way inside before Harrell found Cadee as the 36ers reduced the Phoenix lead to 17-11.

Adelaide then went on an 8-0 run through a Davis three-point play, a tough Nick Marshall drive then a Cadee three-pointer to reduce the margin to 20-19.

Davis scored eight points in the quarter, but the Phoenix scored the last six points to take a 30-23 lead into the first break.

The 36ers looked to attack the basket at the start the second quarter through Vasiljevic, Dech then Harrell but the Phoenix still had a 42-31 advantage.

Davis again found his way to the basket and put his team on his shoulders as Adelaide dealt with foul trouble as South East Melbourne took a 61-43 lead into the main interval.

The visitors started the second half scoring the first five points before another tough Davis jump shot.

Harrell started to attack the hoop, scoring on three straight possessions, then Davis found Dech on the break.

Cadee swished a three-pointer, then went coast-to-coast to score five straight points as Adelaide reduced the margin to 75-63.

Adelaide came to life, going on a 21-4 run at the back end of the third quarter to come storming back into the contest.

Harrell scored 12 points for the quarter, his massive offensive rebound and put back on the buzzer cut the Phoenix lead to 79-77 going into the final 10 minutes. 

A huge Vasiljevic three-pointer to beat the shot clock early in the last quarter was followed by a tough basket from Harrell, which gave the 36ers their first lead of the match at 82-81.

Cadee swished a corner jump shot, before Dech scored inside to give Adelaide a five-point lead, but the Phoenix responded with back-to-back three-pointers to retake the lead 91-90.

A Mayen slam dunk gave Adelaide back the lead before a Harrell free throw made it 95-93 as the lead changed multiple times in the final three minutes as both sides traded clutch baskets.

Harrell threw down a big slam dunk to give Adelaide a 99-98 lead, but the Phoenix scored the game’s final seven points.

Adelaide is back in action on Friday night when the 36ers travel to RAC Arena to battle Perth Wildcats from 9pm ACDT.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 105 (Sobey 26, Foxwell 22, Hurt 18) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 99 (Harrell 25, Davis 23, Cadee 15, Dech 11, Vasiljevic 11) at John Cain Arena.
BOX SCORE