Harrell stars as 36ers get past Taipans

A career-high night from Montrezl Harrell led Adelaide 36ers to a memorable 99-93 overtime win against Cairns Taipans at the Entertainment Centre on Friday night.

In front of a fourth straight sellout crowd of 9382 people, the home side fought back from a 16-point half-time deficit for the six-point success.

Harrell could not be stopped the entire, scoring a game-high 36 points to go with 16 rebounds and five huge blocks.

Kendric Davis came alive in the second half, adding 29 points to go with eight assists and three rebounds, while captain DJ Vasiljevic scored 16 points with five rebounds and three assists.

READ MORE

• 36ers to show honour, pride in Indigenous Round
• COACHES CORNER: Vasiljevic set for new approach
• TEAM SCOUT: 36ers prepared for huge Taipans test
• 36ers release NBL25 Indigenous Jersey
• Wells thrilled with second half response
• Third quarter surge sparks Sixers past JackJumpers

Missing big man Isaac Humphries (calf tightness), Lat Mayen was back into the starting line-up, attacking the basket early to give the Adelaide an early 6-5 lead.

Harrell got to work in the post, but the Taipans swished their first two three-pointers to take a 12-7 advantage.

The 2020 NBA Sixth Man of the Year then swished a three-pointer, scoring eight points in the opening quarter, but Cairns took a 27-21 lead into the first break.

Harrell started the second quarter with five straight points, then stole the ball to lead to a Nick Marshall lay-up as the 36ers cut the Taipans’ lead to 30-28.

Jason Cadee drove to score a tough lay-up, but Rob Edwards (27 points, six assists, five rebounds) connected on back-to-back three-pointers to give Cairns a 44-34 lead.

Cairns were hot from downtown, draining 11 three-pointers in the opening half as the Taipans held a 59-43 lead at the main break.

Vasiljevic started the second half with a big triple, before Harrell got back to the free throw line and Davis began to heat up.

Adelaide reduced the Taipans lead to seven points (61-54) but Cairns again extended the margin into double digits before another huge triple from Harrell.

Harrell continued to score, a three-pointer from Vasiljevic capped an 8-1 36ers run to cut the Taipans’ lead to 69-65.

But Edwards got to the basket late in the quarter as the 36ers halved the Taipans lead as Cairns took a 73-65 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Cairns again extended their lead to double digits before Davis got to the basket twice, Harrell threw down a slam dunk and when Davis scored again the Taipans lead was 75-71.

Davis then took over, his three-pointer tied the game at 81-81, then his jump shot gave Adelaide the lead for the first time since the opening quarter with less than two minutes to play.

Adelaide held an 88-85 lead after clutch free throws from Harrell, but a Sam Waardenburg (18 points, 14 rebounds) three-point play tied the game, Davis had the chance to win it in regulation,  but was stopped on the buzzer.

Marshall opening the overtime period with a massive three-pointer as the home side kept the lead for the entire five minutes, Davis and Harrell both coming up clutch plays down the stretch.

The 36ers now have an eight-day break before travelling to New Zealand for next Saturday’s clash against the Breakers at Spark Arena from 5pm ACST. 

ADELAIDE 36ERS 99 (Harrell 36, Davis 29, Vasiljevic 16) def CAIRNS TAIPANS 93 (Edwards 27, Waardenburg 18, Gak 14) at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

Crowd: 9382

BOX SCORE