DREWITTS BULBS MATCH REPORT: Phoenix Fall just Short in Throwdown XXV

A sellout crowd of 10,225 were witness to a tight tussle, United eventually claiming the spoils in an 84-96 victory.

Matthew Hurt was a standout for the Phoenix finishing the game with 18 points for the contest and getting it done at multiple levels shooting 6-10 from two and 2-4 from deep.

The 3️⃣ party is on for Hurty and Sobey! 👌

📺 Watch live on ESPN via Kayo pic.twitter.com/QN6PrkkNLY

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) September 26, 2024

Owen Foxwell impressed as well, and despite only being 21 years old,the guard finished with five points and didn’t back down from the challenge of playing crucial minutes late in the game on NBA-level opposition in Mathew Dellevaova and Ian Clark.

The South East Melbourne Phoenix started the game 6-8 from beyond the arc, but as the shooting waned, United’s veterans in Dellavedova, Clark and Jack White proved too strong over the course of the game.

Joe Wieskamp (13 points, four rebounds) had the Fire Pit alight, scoring seven points and reigning in two rebounds, flying the flag and getting under the skin of the opposition, Chris Goulding the beneficiary of an offensive foul as tempers flared to prove the rivalry was well and truly real.

The tension between both sides did not subside after halftime, Angus Glover and Marcus Lee engaging in a push and shove and earning the ire of the referees.

Derrick Walton Jr (17 points, seven rebounds) started to show his aggression by attacking the paint off the pick and roll and providing silver platter service to his front-court counterpart Jordan Hunter (17 points, seven rebounds) who slowly worked his way into this game.

The Phoenix dragged United to within six points but with under a minute left on the clock, time was the biggest factor and eventually ran out on the home side.

Head coach Mike Kelly was disappointed in his side's defensive efforts but remains optimistic with his unit's chance against New Zealand.

"We were not good on defence, we want to be solid and fundamentally sound," Kelly told reporters post-match.

“We’re still heading in the right direction, but when you’re winless, you’re left searching a little.”

The South East Melbourne Phoenix will be back at it on Sunday the 29th of September against the New Zealand Breakers at Spark Arena.

FULL TIME STATS

Matt Hurt 19 PTS / 7 REB / 2 BLKS
Derrick Walton Jr 17 PTS / 2 REB / 4 AST
Jordan Hunter 17PTS / 7 REB
Joe Wieskamp 13 PTS / 4 REB
Nathan Sobey 9 PTS / 4 AST
Owen Foxwell 5 PTS / 1 STL / 1 BLK
Tom Vodanovich 3 PTS / 2 REBS
Angus Glover 2 PTS / 1 REB / 1 AST
Malique Lewis 3 REBS / 1 STL

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