Wells says 36ers showed huge response

Adelaide 36ers head coach Mike Wells was pleased with how his side bounced back in Monday night’s 91-88 success against Illawarra Hawks at the Entertainment Centre.

The 36ers used a breathtaking first half performance as the catalyst for the three-point success, Adelaide now winning three of the past four matches.

“We knew we would get a punch, maybe a couple of them,” Wells said post-game after the Hawks fought back from a 20-point half-time deficit.

“Would’ve we liked to have a prettier second half, for sure, but we did win the game, and that’s the ultimate goal.

“We have had a hell of a four-game stretch.”

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Adelaide responded multiple times as the current NBL25 league leaders fought back into the contest.

“They cut it to seven and we responded, but (Darius) Days made some tough shots and you got to give those guys credit,” Wells said.

“They have a lot of different weapons.

“We protected our home court, it was a huge win for us, our desperation was more than theirs.”

Wells was thrilled with how his side “set the tone” at the defensive end, holding the high-scoring Hawks to just 43 points in the opening half.

“What we have done in this stretch of the last four games is our defense has been pretty good,” he said.

“Our defense fuels our offense, it’s a completely different game for us as we have so much talent.

“We couldn’t play a much better first half, they were on the ropes, they didn’t have time outs, there was nothing they could do, we kept coming at them.

“We were focused, the ultimate goal was to get the win and we did.”

Wells gave big praise to star big man Isaac Humphries, who was massive at both ends of the court, but was limited with foul trouble.

“He has been a huge reason why we have been super successful against Illawarra (this season), it’s Isaac Humphries,” Wells said.

“The way he plays the pick ‘n’ roll defence, his coverages, he is a big factor.”

Sunday Dech returned to the line-up and Wells had a full, healthy roster for the first time since November 17.

“Our team is still going through a transition at this point of the year,” Wells said.

“We are adjusting to different ways to play and different combinations.

“(It’s great) just to have that group back out on the floor together.”