Phoenix fire late in overtime

South East Melbourne Phoenix have survived a big Adelaide 36ers second half comeback to win 103-98 in overtime at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Adelaide fought back from as much as 16 points down in the first half, but the Phoenix converted when it mattered most, Trey Kell III firing the home side in the extra period for a five-point victory.

A four-point play from Ryan Broekhoff looked to have broken 36ers hearts in regulation, taking the Phoenix from 88-87 down to a 91-88 lead with under 10 seconds to go in the final quarter.

But Craig Randall II hit a technical free throw, then converted a tough lay up to tie the scores at 91-91. Mitch Creek had the chance to win the game on the buzzer, but his jump shot caught iron.

Craig Randall II scored a game-high 28 points for the 36ers, including five three-pointers, while Daniel Johnson added 16 points to go with eight rebounds.

The Phoenix, coming off a thrilling 91-90 victory in Perth over the Wildcats less than 48 hours earlier, started like a team with confidence, Ryan Broekhoff opening the scoring from three-point range.

Reigning NBL Defensive Player of the Year Antonius Cleveland picked up two fouls within the first three minutes on the contest, forcing head coach CJ Bruton to go to Sunday Dech.

Adelaide steadied and hit the front on a Randall II triple at 13-12, but Broekhoff’s hot shooting form continued, scoring 11 first quarter points as the Phoenix built a 35-25 quarter time lead.

The 36ers scored the first two baskets of the second quarter through Mitch McCarron and Robert Franks, but the Phoenix turned up the heat through Gary Browne, who pushed South East Melbourne’s lead to double figures.

Foul trouble plagued the Adelaide effort defensively, Kai Sotto and McCarron had two personals and Franks picked up his third with six minutes to go in the opening half and when Cleveland got his third, there was still three minutes to go before half time.

South East Melbourne punished the 36ers inside the paint as the Phoenix lead increased to 50-34, but Anthony Drmic and Randall II hit back-to-back three-pointers to go into the main break trailing 52-44.

Johnson connected from three-point range to start the second half, a 9-0 Adelaide run across either side of the main break.

The 36ers offensive flow increased, as Adelaide came storming back into the contest through Randall II, Sotto and Drmic.

Randall II started to heat up from range, hitting two deep three-pointers, his second levelling the game at 68-68.

Sotto impressed at both ends of the floor, grabbing rebounds and becoming a presence in the low block, and when Drmic hit his second triple of the game, Adelaide took the lead 71-68.

But Franks picked up his fourth personal right on an offensive foul right on three-quarter time as the 36ers took a three-point advantage going into the final 10 minutes.

Back-to-back three-pointers from Browne, then Trey Kell III gave the Phoenix back the lead 74-71 and Franks and Cleveland were stuck on the bench with four personal fouls each with still six minutes remaining.

Randall II again stepped up, hitting his fifth three-pointer of the game, then split the defense to throw down a slam dunk, to give Adelaide their biggest lead of the contest at 85-81.

Kell III then took over, scoring 20 points in the final eight minutes of the contest to break Adelaide hearts.

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 103 (Kell III 24, Williams 18, Broekhoff 17) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 98 (Randall II 28, Johnson 16, Drmic 13) at John Cain Arena.

BOX SCORE