The Adelaide 36ers overcame the late loss of superstar Bryce Cotton and a breathtaking last-quarter rally by Melbourne United to tighten their hold on top spot with a win in an overtime thriller on Friday night.
The home side led the top-of-the-table clash by as much as 18 points at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, but scores were tied with 26 seconds remaining in a pulsating final term with the game going to overtime.
Cotton scored seven points in overtime, but he was sensationally whistled for a fifth foul and departed with a game-high 33 points and 13 assists with just over three minutes remaining.
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With the superstar reduced to a spectator, Zylan Cheatham slammed down a monster jam and Flynn Cameron made the most of a turnover to settle frayed nerves as Mike Wells’ side saw out a memorable win.
It was a grandstand finish that followed an electric final term.
United trailed by 14 points heading into the last quarter, but Chris Goulding and Shea Ili were instrumental as the visitors went on a stirring run.
Nick Rakocevic was ejected for a high elbow to Finn Delany with seven minutes remaining in the at-times spiteful affair with his side’s lead reduced to six points.
United’s blazing run to start the last quarter extended to a stunning 21-5 when Goulding drained two free throws to give his side the lead with just under five minutes remaining.
With Adelaide up by one point with two-and-a-half minutes remaining, Isaac Humphries fouled out of the game as the drama kept coming in the enthralling heavyweight encounter.
HOT & COLD
Cotton drained a triple to start proceedings and cold Melbourne opened the game with 2-of-8 shooting as hot Adelaide went on a 7-0 run in the first quarter to open up a handy lead.
The home side led by as much as eight points in an opening term played at a frenetic pace, but with star point guard Tyson Walker out for United with a concussion, Delany stepped up with a team-high seven first-quarter points.
A spectacular behind-the-back pass from Cotton found DJ Vasiljevic in the corner and the co-captain did the slick pass justice with a dagger from deep to help set up a five-point lead at the first break.
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TON OF ICE
In his 100th game for the Sixers, Humphries was important from the outset.
The star centre continued his red-hot run of form with 13 points in the first half, second only to Cotton’s game-high 15, and Humphries’ chemistry with the five-time NBL MVP was a sight to behold.
Cotton had eight assists in the first half, when no other player had more than one, and he fed Humphries time and again, with ‘Ice’ feasting on the consistent supply.
Cotton’s seventh assist was a ‘blink-and-you’ll miss it’ sleight of hand bounce pass that Humphries finished off in emphatic style.
In a fiery first half, Vasiljevic and Goulding were issued tech fouls for an altercation and Jesse Edwards was whistled after he shoved Rakocevic to the floor with two minutes left in the half.
The Dutch import had to sit down with three fouls, the Sixers leading by as much as 15 points in the second term before settling for an 11-point advantage at the half after recording their highest second quarter of the season.
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DOYLE DOES IT
With Delany quieter in the second term, Milton Doyle stepped up for the visitors and finished the first half with a team-high 13 points.
Doyle’s third triple early in the third quarter was key as Melbourne enjoyed a bright patch after the restart.
But United suffered a blow when Edwards went to the locker room early in the third term and the momentum swung back Adelaide’s way.
Edwards was able to return, but with three minutes left in the third, the Sixers went up by 18 points after a superb piece of physical play at both ends of the court.
Doyle appeared set to add to his tally until Cheatham climbed high to send his attempt packing.
The ball ended in Humpries hands after a swift transition and the bullocking big outmuscled his opponents to send the crowd into raptures.
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