DREWITT'S BULBS MATCH REPORT: Phoenix Topple United in Throwdown XXVII

With Matt Hurt, Nathan Sobey and Jordi Hunter all posting 20+ scores, the Phoenix were able to remain cool down the stretch and take the lead on the season ledger, 2-1.

The visitors came out firing, the Phoenix defence struggling to contain US guard Ian Clark.

It didn’t take the Next Star Malique Lewis too long to join the action, throwing down a massive jam on the fast break to help chip into the Melbourne lead.

Derrick Walton Jr made his return to the hardwood tonight from illness and looked aggressive out the gate hitting his first jumper of the night and playing a crucial role on both sides of the floor late in the contest.

The Detroit native finished with 14 points, six rebounds and seven assists in an impressive outing.

Tensions hit a peak when Nathan Sobey (22 Points, five rebounds, seven assists, six steals) and opposition centre Rob Loe got entangled at the start of the third.

However the interaction only seemed to light a fire under the veteran guard, scoring 11 points in the third term and willing his team to their first lead of the night with a 15-0 run.

The Phoenix new found lead being stamped by an Alley-Oop connection between Walton and Hunter. Sending the home crowd at John Cain arena into an absolute frenzy.

Phoenix leading-scorer Matt Hurt (28 points, six rebounds) decided to stamp his name on the game, scoring the first six points for the Phoenix in the final term.

But it would not be long before Dean Vickernman’s side would find their feet and retake the lead with fice minutes remaining in the game.

What ensued was four minutes of back-and-forth action between the cross-town rivals before the Phoenix managed to pull away on a 9-0 run.

The Phoenix will next play the Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena on the 21st, the club's first open-roof game.

FULL TIME STATS

Hurt: 28p/6r
Hunter: 23p/8r/2a/1stl
Sobey: 22p/5r/7a/6stls/2blks
Walton Jr: 14p/6r/7a/3stls
Lewis: 11p/5r/2a
Wieskamp: 4p/
Glover: 3p/1r/1a
Foxwell: 2p/3a
Vodanovich: 2p/1r

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