Kell on target, but 36ers fall to Kings

A Trey Kell shooting masterclass was not enough for the Adelaide 36ers to split their road trip, going down 109-100 to Sydney Kings at Qudos Bank Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Kell scored a game-high 28 points to go with five rebounds, two assists and two steals as the 36ers again stormed back into the contest with a high intensity third quarter display, sparked by import power forward Jacob Wiley.

Wiley scored 17 points to go with five rebounds and five assists, while Sunday Dech added 15 points and five rebounds, captain Mitch McCarron had 11 points and 10 rebounds and big man Isaac Humphries toiled hard for 11 points and seven rebounds.

After failing 82-75 to the Wildcats in Perth on Friday night, Adelaide had to back-up less than 48 hours later across the other side of the country in the Harbour City and the Kings started on fire.

Sydney hit four straight three-pointers for an early 12-7 lead, but the 36ers bounced back instantly.

Adelaide’s offense started to click and when Kell connected from downtown, Adelaide had the lead for the first time 18-16.

Kouat Noi came off the bench for the Kings and made an instant impact, scoring 12 straight points as the hosts took a 32-22 lead into quarter time.

Former Chicago Bull Denzel Valentine became an issue for the Adelaide defense, connecting on his fourth straight field goal to open the second quarter as the Kings kept control of a double-digit lead.

Kell continued his breakout game in Adelaide colours, scoring 16 points in the opening half and converted on a three-point play to reduce the Kings lead to 43-36.

Adelaide showed fight, but the Kings seemed to score whenever the 36ers got on a run throughout the second quarter as Sydney took a 57-48 lead into the main break.

Wiley ignited the 36ers to start the second half, throwing down a huge dunk on the fast break, then found Kell underneath for an easy lay-up as the Kings’ lead was reduced to 59-56.

Dech connected on a three-pointer, made a tough lay-up and when Kell threw down a slam dunk in traffic, the game was tied at 61-61.

Adelaide tied the game away a further three times, but the Kings kept their advantage, Jordan Hunter (22 points, eight rebounds) prominent on the offensive glass, Valentine hit a big three and Sydney took a 75-72 lead going into the final 10 minutes.

Jaylen Adams (16 points, eight assists) showed why he was crowned the NBL22 MVP, hitting consecutive three-pointers as the Kings lead went to 83-74 early in the final stanza.

Offensive rebounding again came back to haunt the 36ers, Adelaide giving up two consecutive second chances, with Angus Glover, then Jaylin Galloway connecting on three-pointers to extend Sydney’s lead to 89-76.

Kell continued to keep his side within reach with his third triple of the night, but the Kings answered every Adelaide challenge.

Adelaide will be back in action next Saturday on Brett Maher Court at the Entertainment Centre for the club's inaugural PINK SLAM game against Illawarra Hawks from 5pm.

SYDNEY KINGS 109 (Hunter 22, Adams 16, Valentine 15) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 100 (Kell 28, Wiley 17, Dech 15) at Qudos Bank Arena.

BOX SCORE