DREWITT'S BULBS MATCH REPORT: Wieskamp saves the day for Phoenix

Celebrating their annual Phoenix Fest clash in appreciation of their members, the crowd were treated to an epic show as the home side returned to the Fire Pit for the first time since December 21.

Having already secured a finals berth, South East Melbourne remained jostling for a top-two position with victory over Mike Wells’s team imperative, and jumping out to an 18-point first half lead on the back of co-captains Jordan Hunter and Nathan Sobey make great inroads to their quest.

The lead peaked at 23-points before, as Wells said post-game, they finally started to pass Montrezl Harrell the ball, and the former NBA Sixth Man of the Year put the team on his back, eviscerating the deficit and helping the visitors to a five-point lead.

But some typically dogged plays from fledgling guard Owen Foxwell down the stress, to accompany his 22 points, and some clutch Sobey buckets kept the Phoenix in the hunt.

Though the kudos would belong to Joe Wieskamp whose incredible last-ditch block of a Lat Mayen dunk and the subsequent finish at the other end sealed the game and send the Heartland-strong crowd into a frenzy.

 Phoenix coach Josh King paid tribute to his players to media after the win, singling out Sobey and Foxwell for their contributions in what has been a remarkable turnaround for the side that begun the NBL25 campaign 0-5.

The Phoenix take on Melbourne United on Saturday Night in what will be their final regular season game, with the matchup set to determine the final placings for the playoffs.

FULL TIME STATS

Sobey: 26p/5r/8a
Foxwell: 22p/1r/2a/1stl
Hurt: 18p/10r/2a/1stl/1blk
Hunter: 12p/7r/3a/2stls/2blks
Ayre: 9p/1r/1a/2stls
Wieskamp: 7p/9r/4a/2blks
Kenyon: 4p/5r/1a/1stl
Lewis: 4p/4r
Glover: 3p/2r/1a/1blk
Vodanovich: 1r/1a