Wells proud of Sixers’ “collective resolve” and belief in OT win over Melbourne

Adelaide 36ers Head Coach Mike Wells says he is super proud of the way his side never wavered in its belief that it could beat Melbourne United on Friday night, despite a huge swing in momentum that pushed the game into overtime.

The Sixers led comfortably by 18 points in the third period before a huge momentum swing in the last saw United take the lead before pushing the game to overtime.

Despite star Bryce Cotton fouling out for the first time in his NBL career along with bigs Isaac Humphries and Zylan Cheatham, the Sixers held firm to record a seventh straight win and retain the top spot on the Hungry Jack’s NBL ladder, much to the delight of a record 10,032 crowd at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

“We found a way to win the game,” Wells said post match. “And that's what we've been doing all season long.

“When you have a lead like that on a really good team, I don't think anybody expected we were going to beat United by 20 points. That was never going to happen.

“But not only do we lose the lead, they went ahead and then we got our feet under us.

“For this group to take all those punches from a quality championship team to, you know, maybe get staggered, get our balance, and then come back and, you know, take the lead back and then go into overtime and play like three minutes without Bryce Cotton.

“For the group to be able to figure out how to win, without a big. I didn't have any bigs. Everybody fouled out.

“I just love coaching them. They've been extremely coachable. They try to take everything that we're doing and concepts.”

Wells explained that when it felt as though things were going against them, his side stood tall, thanks to strong leadership on court by DJ Vasiljevic and some good composure by young gun Flynn Cameron.

“They never wavered in the belief that we could win,” Wells said.

“Even at the beginning of over time, there was a collective resolve.

“Even, when Bryce fouled out.. that group never wavered and I couldn't be more proud of them as a coach.

“I just think it's part of our story. We're having to learn how to win in real time. We got to learn how to win a whole bunch of different ways.”

Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman opted to give young gun Dash Daniels his first start and he went straight to Cotton.

It seemed to spark the five-time league MVP who raced to seven points to go with three assists in the first quarter.

Former Melbourne player Flynn Cameron also hit seven points and DJ Vasiljevic came off the bench to add six of his own as the home side led by five points after an energetic first period.

The Sixers continued their energy in the second period and at one point had the margin out to 15 points on the back of the link-up between Cotton and Isaac Humphries.

Their connection was thrilling the crowd as both raced into double figures, and despite the best efforts of Milton Doyle and Finn Delaney for the visitors, the Sixers still held an 11-point advantage at the main break.

United fought hard to close the gap but for all their effort, the Sixers continued to hold them at bay.

Cotton continued to find his way to the basket and the Sixers were up by 14 points as the sides broke at the end of the third period.

But something changed when United came back out. They went on a 23-4 run to take the lead and have the boisterous home crowd on the edge of its seat.

Nick Rakocevic got his marching orders, ejected for foul pllay after a video review and in his 100^th game as a 36er, Humphries was fouled out after amassing five fouls.

Cotton missed a chance to seal the game in the dying seconds, unable to put up a shot and the game went to overtime.

He was soon on the pine too, fouled out for the first time in his 275 games in the competition, and with more than three minutes to play the Sixers were forced to find a way to win without their star man.

Cameron stepped up and even with Zylan Cheatham fouling out late, they held on for a seventh straight win.

Proud of the group’s resolve, head coach Wells made a point of the group winning without Cotton.

“I never felt like there was a waiver,” he repeated. “We took the time out when it happened, just so I could sort of get them organised in that moment.

“But, you know, we practice with different lineups. We throw different combos out there all the time in practice and we're going against big, we're going to get small, whatever.

“The group's been outstanding. I'm just super, super proud that we were able to regain our balance and then start punching again.”

 The Sixers are now off to Canberra to face Sydney next Wednesday night.