Phoenix make it consecutive Throwdown wins

The South East Melbourne Phoenix shook off an early 15-point Throwdown deficit to take charge in the second half and make it consecutive wins over Melbourne United, winning 109-97.

Melbourne caught fire for 36 points coming off losses to Brisbane and Illawarra to be 15 points up at John Cain Arena on Sunday afternoon, but the Phoenix got stuck in after half-time.

A 32-20 third quarter set South East Melbourne up for the eventual 12-point win with Derrick Walton Jr starring on return from illness after half-time ending up with 14 points, seven assists and six rebounds.

Even after United hit the front again with five minutes to go, South East Melbourne responded with 14 of the next 16 points to secure back-to-back Throwdown wins and to improve to 8-9.

Matt Hurt produced another 28 points and six rebounds on 12/15 shooting with Jordan Hunter contributing 23 points and eight boards on 6/8 with 11/13 at the foul line while Nathan Sobey had 22 points, seven assists, six steals and five rebounds.

"Every game is almost a do-or-die when you look at the ladder," said Phoenix coach Josh King.

"We needed this one tonight and I'm just really proud of the team effort, sticking together, especially being down 15.

"Happy for our guys and hopefully we can build on this."

Melbourne has now lost three straight for the first time since November/December 2022 to be 12-7 while again playing without Chris Goulding and Marcus Lee.

Ian Clark top-scored with 20 points while Shea Ili added 17 points and six assists, Flynn Cameron 15 points, four rebounds and two steals, Matthew Dellavedova 11 points and eight assists, and Rob Loe 10 points and four assists.

"Three in-a-row is just unacceptable," said NBA championship winner Dellavedova afterwards.

"Everyone's pretty pissed off, as we should be, and there's no one to blame except for ourselves.

"We're going to have to respond and we're going to have to hold each other accountable.

"Everyone's going to have to do their job and I'm confident that we'll be able to do that."

Melbourne started strongly looking to avoid a third straight loss leading 14-8 early including getting threes from Matthew Dellavedova and Ian Clark, but the Phoenix were staying in touch and Malique Lewis had seven quick points.

United then blew the game wide open with four quick threes to Kyle Bowen, Dellavedova, Flynn Cameron and Clark leading to quarter-time to end up leading 36-24 after one.

Melbourne again pushed that lead out to 15 early in the second frame but Jordan Hunter sparked South East Melbourne with five points on the inside and then Nathan Sobey inspired a 9-0 run to bring it back to a three-point ball game.

Melbourne again answered including with a four-point play to Cameron and they went into half-time leading 59-51 on the back of shooting 62 per cent from the field to 51 while the Phoenix attempted 16 free to just the three from United.

United were back up nine with a three-point play from Clark but late in the third term the Phoenix went on a 10-0 streak starting with three balls to Derrick Walton Jr and Sobey before a Hunter finish at the rim put them in front for the first time in the contest.

That turned into a 14-0 run after the timeout with a bucket to Joe Wieskamp and then alley-oop finish from Hunter on the pinpoint pass from Walton.

South East Melbourne went into three quarter-time leading by four and then they were up eight early in the fourth, but Melbourne responded with the next seven points and it set up a grandstand finish.

United were back in front thanks to Cameron with five minutes to play before Walton returned South East Melbourne to the lead a minute later.

Another minute later and Walton knocked down a three to put the Phoenix up four before a dunk to Sobey and another bucket to Walton, and dunk to Hunter, saw them seal the deal on the eventual 12-point triumph.

Melbourne will now prepare to play the Tasmania JackJumpers next Monday in their last home game until February while South East Melbourne play host to the Adelaide 36ers on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2024/25

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 109 (Hurt 28, Hunter 23, Sobey 22)

MELBOURNE UNITED 97 (Clark 20, Ili 17, Cameron 15)

BOX SCORE