Johnson, Franks lead 36ers past Hawks

Adelaide big man duo Robert Franks and Daniel Johnson have starred as the 36ers fired late to defeat Illawarra Hawks 96-80 at WIN Entertainment Centre in Wollongong on Thursday night.

The 36ers, who lost both games last round, were guided by Johnson and Franks for the whole night as Adelaide had control of most the night during their 16-point success.

Johnson had a game-high 28 points to go with seven rebounds and four assists, while Franks added 25 points to go with six rebounds and four assists as Adelaide won wire-to-wire.

The seven-time club MVP started with back-to-back three-pointers as the 36ers got rolling early and Franks was dominate inside the paint, Adelaide’s lead went to double figures early.

Missing Craig Randall II due to a bruised sternum, Anthony Drmic (16 points) stepped up into the starting quintet, swishing an early three and finding Franks inside.

Adelaide had a few opportunities to push their lead out even further, but a Deng Deng triple on the buzzer reduced the 36ers’ lead to 26-18 at quarter time.

Franks and Johnson, who combine for 25 first half points, continued their dominance to start the second quarter as Adelaide scored the first three buckets to extend the lead to 15.

The Hawks, coming off six straight losses, showed some fight, Peyton Siva and Mangok Mathiang willing their side back into the contest as Illawarra reduced the Adelaide lead to 49-37 at half time.

Siva continued his impressive night, finding open teammates under the hoop, Tyler Harvey started to make some shots and Illawarra switched their defence to a zone as the Hawks stormed back into the contest at 57-55.

Adelaide took their time to get use to playing against the zone, but it didn’t stop Franks ticking the scoreboard over, the 201cm power forward scoring 12 of the 36ers’ 16 third quarter points to keep the lead 65-58 with 10 minutes to play.

Harvey’s hot hand continued into the final quarter, converting a four-point play as the Hawks reduced Adelaide’s lead to 75-70 with six minutes to play.

Adelaide then exploded, going on a 19-4 run in just three minutes led by Johnson and Drmic, as the 36ers got their season back on track.

Captain Mitch McCarron was everywhere for the 36ers, with 10 points, seven assists and five rebounds, while Drmic added 16 points and Sunday Dech had 11 points and five rebounds.

The challenge doesn’t get any easier for the 36ers, who play arch-rival Perth Wildcats on Brett Maher Court at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 96 (Johnson 28, Franks 25, Drmic 16) def ILLAWARRA HAWKS 80 (Harvey 25, Swaka Lo Buluk 12, Siva 11) at WIN Entertainment Centre, Wollongong.

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