Ili, Bowen inspire United win

Shea Ili top-scored for Melbourne United in their comeback win in their return home, but it was his defensive efforts that inspired the victory along with Kyle Bowen stepping up big time for Jack White.

If you ever wanted to see a glaring example of why Ili is the reigning Damian Martin Trophy winner as the league's Best Defensive Player, and why his United and Tall Blacks teammates hold him in such high regard, just watch the fourth quarter at John Cain Arena on Saturday night.

United were 16 points down to the Tasmania JackJumpers late in the second quarter in their first home game since December 23 and still trailing by nine at three quarter-time, but then Ili took control.

His defence and quick hands pressured the JackJumpers into turning the ball over as Melbourne scored the first 12 points of the fourth term.

His offensive game came to the fore as well including when he scored five straight points to put United up by six, but it was two defensive efforts late that were as close to what Damian Martin himself provided in the league than there might ever be.

On two crucial plays in the final minute, Ili denied JackJumpers stars Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford the chance to even get a shot up as he willed United to a win that puts them in prime position to lock away a top two position.

Coach Dean Vickerman had Ili at the Breakers, has ensured he has been a key part of this United team the whole way, and was just as happy with his 18 points and two three-pointers as his remarkable defensive performances.

"I thought the group that came out after half-time made a change defensively and Shea Ili was a massive part of that," Vickerman said.

"He just changed the game by getting deflections, getting on the floor and doing all those things that he does. We wanted Shea to make some threes and he knocks in two of them.

"He guarded both Doyle and Crawford, and they both had their moments but when it came to it he made Doyle's three that he makes down the stretch as tough as it can possibly be, and he changed the game with his pace and attack.

"And he changed the game with the deflections and the loose balls that he came up with that won us extra possessions."

With Jack White coming into the game under a cloud with a back injury, and then limited to 16 minutes with foul trouble, it was also Bowen's time to shine.

He ended up delivering 15 points and eight rebounds in 22 minutes on 6/9 shooting with Vickerman equally full of praise for his defence and hustle plays as for his growing offensive repertoire.

"I thought KB had an outstanding game. Whitey went into it a bit of a game time decision and his back wasn’t perfect, but we knew we needed more from KB and he really stepped up," Vickerman said.

"He has worked so hard on his shot as well and it has made a massive improvement which we'll continue to see grow as time goes along.

"He's in the right spot a lot and you saw when we got it to short roll, he's making cuts along the baseline and you're starting to see those sort of things that will give him the chance to expand his offensive game. Being in the right spots and making shots is going to be important as well."

Vickerman was also glad that White was able to get himself up to play despite the sore back. Even though he only had five points and three rebounds, he looks forward to him having a bigger impact again in next Saturday night's season closing Throwdown.

"I haven’t spoken to him after the game yet, but he got through it which was really pleasing. He didn’t practice a lot through the week but we got him up and he gave us what he could tonight," Vickerman said.

"That turned into him fouling out fairly quickly but hopefully by playing he hasn’t done any damage or anything, but I'm pretty sure he looked fairly good at the end of the game. We'll get him ready for next week."