DREWITT'S BULBS MATCH REPORT: Phoenix go down as the Throwdown series end in a tie

Melbourne United's hold on a top two finish was briefly in jeopardy but they responded in the second half to beat the South East Melbourne Phoenix 103-93 to earn a break ahead of the NBL playoffs.

The Phoenix had to beat United by 22 or more points at John Cain Arena in the Throwdown to set up a return encounter with the two teams in a Play-In Game this week by push Melbourne to third.

South East Melbourne did lead by 12 early in the second half, but Melbourne hit back and then started the fourth with the first seven points for the eventual 10-point win.

Melbourne finishes second at 19-10 while South East Melbourne stays fourth at 16-13 and will take on the Wildcats in Perth likely on Tuesday night.

The win to turn everything on its head for the Phoenix looked decidedly off the table in the first quarter and-a-half with Melbourne leading by as much as six points still late in the second, but then the Phoenix turned the tide.

They went on an 18-3 scoring run and were leading 54-46 by half-time on the back of shooting 51 per cent to Melbourne's 45, and scoring nine second chance points on seven offensive rebounds.

That margin to knock Melbourne from second was right on the cards early in the second half when the Phoenix came out to score the first four points to be leading by 12, but United soon fired right back up.

United responded with a 12-2 run and by three quarter-time the teams couldn’t be split but Melbourne kept the momentum going with a hot start to the fourth on the way to the eventual 10-point win.

The Phoenix now head to Perth for a fourth time in NBL25 after Ben Ayre put up 15 points and three assists with Matt Hurt adding 14 points and seven rebounds, Angus Glover 11 points and five boards, and Nathan Sobey 11 points, five rebounds and three assists.

The Phoenix worked their way on top by upping the ante in the second quarter.

Joe Wieskamp made a three-pointer to tie scores up and the Phoenix then went on a 9-0 scoring run by being physical going to the basket and that included a three-point play for Angus Glover.

Ben Ayre and Nathan Sobey then hit threes on the way to combining for 19 in the first half, and by the break it South East Melbourne on top 54-46 and within touching distance of avoiding a trip to Perth in the coming days.

The Phoenix threatened to take charge further to start the second half with an Owen Foxwell and-one and five quick points to Matt Hurt to have them up by 12.

Josh King's side have locked in fourth position and the double-chance as they head to Perth to take on the Wildcats on Tuesday, February 11 for the Seeding Qualifier. The winner advances to the semi-finals to take on Melbourne United, loser take on the winner of Sydney Kings and Adelaide 36ers.

FULL TIME STATS

Ayre: 15p/1r/3a/1stl
Hurt: 14p/7r/1a/1blk
Sobey: 11p/5r/3a
Glover: 11p/5r
Wieskamp: 10p/1r/2stls/1blk
Lewis: 10p/7r/1stl
Foxwell: 9p/2r/4a/3stls
Vodanovich: 5p/3r/3a
Hunter: 4p/1r/1stl
Kenyon: 4p/3r/2stls/1blk
Majok: 1r