Sixers finish Blitz undefeated and as pre-season champions

The beginning to life under new coach CJ Bruton couldn’t have been more impressive for the Adelaide 36ers after finishing the NBL Blitz undefeated and as Loggins-Bruton Cup winners following Sunday's win over the Brisbane Bullets.

The 36ers had won their opening four matches in Tasmania at the NBL Blitz against the Perth Wildcats (twice), Tasmania JackJumpers and Cairns Taipans, and they locked horns with fellow unbeaten pre-season team the Brisbane Bullets on Sunday at MyState Bank Arena.

The start might not have been ideal with Adelaide falling down 12 early on, but they worked back into the contest and despite Dusty Hannahs, Isaac Humphries, Kai Sotto and Manny Malou not suiting up, they got the job done down the stretch to win 72-67.

It means that for the fourth time the 36ers are pre-season NBL champions and they claim the Loggins-Bruton Cup named in honour of legendary pair Leroy Loggins and Cal Bruton. It would be an especially proud honour for CJ Bruton to win the trophy half named in honour of his father.

There was plenty to like once again from the 36ers five days out from the #NBL22 season opening on Friday night in Perth with Daniel Johnson top-scoring with 16 points and seven rebounds.

New import Todd Withers is gearing up for the season proper nicely too after playing almost 33 minutes and delivering 13 points and four rebounds.

Development player Nick Marshall was especially impressive too with 10 points and 12 rebounds while captain Mitch McCarron had a brilliant all-round performance made up of nine points, eight rebounds, eight assists and five steals.

Sunday Dech added eight points and three rebounds, Tad Dufelmeier seven points, three assists and two steals, Mojave King five points, three boards and two assists, Zac Gattorna two points and Lachlan Olbrich two.

Neither team was quite at full strength less than a week out from the NBL season beginning but it was Brisbane who started well with the first five points and ending up leading 14-3 during the opening term, and still 17-10 by the end of one.

The 36ers worked their way back into the contest, though, to start the second period and when Sunday Dech knocked down a three ball, scores were locked at 20-20.

Then heading towards half-time Daniel Johnson hit a pair of triples, captain Mitch McCarron hit one too and development player Zac Gattorna threw down a dunk, and by the break it was the 36ers narrowly leading 37-36.

Todd Withers was warming to the task nicely in the third quarter to keep Adelaide close with Brisbane and by three quarter-time it was the Bullets holding just a slender advantage, 52-50.

Withers and Tad Dufelmeier then scored to open the final quarter to bring scores back level and then just when the Bullets were beginning to slip away, Dufelmeier hit a three to bring the margin back to one for Adelaide.

Captain McCarron then put the 36ers in front but it was a game destined to go down to the wire. With just over three minutes on the clock, Withers drained a three to give the Sixers the 66-63 edge before jumpers from both Johnson and Dufelmeier.

The Bullets had one last chance to tie scores up but missed and McCarron sealed the deal at the foul line for the five-point win and Adelaide remained unbeaten at the Blitz and claimed the Loggins-Bruton Cup.

The Sixers now head to Perth this week ahead of the NBL season opener on Friday night against the Wildcats at RAC Arena before taking on the Illawarra Hawks at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ

ADELAIDE 36ERS 72 (Johnson 16, Withers 13, Marshall 10)

BRISBANE BULLETS 67 (Krebs 15, Cadee 12, Digbeu 9) 

BOX SCORE