Gallant Bullets Sour Phoenix’s Night

Phoenix was back at full strength for the first time since round 11 with import backcourt Gary Browne and Trey Kell back on the starting lineup.

Phoenix flew out of the blocks with the support of the loud 3,200-plus crowd behind them. They finished the term up by six. 

Brisbane had better in the second quarter and went into the half-up seven. 

Phoenix came back in the third and set up a blockbuster final stanza.

However, the Bullets ran the game better, while the Phoenix struggled to close out the game.

Phoenix has a quick turnaround, travelling to Tasmania tomorrow to take on the JackJumpers on Wednesday night.

The Result:

South East Melbourne Phoenix 79 - 84 Brisbane Bullets

The Numbers

Phoenix
Williams: 19 points, nine rebounds
Creek: 17 points, 13 rebounds
Browne: 12 points

Bullets
Cadee: 28 points

The Turning Point

Second quarter lapse 

The second quarter was once again an issue for Phoenix.

The Play of the Game

Williams Toughness

A steal from Williams mid-court in the third quarter led to a fast break finish that had the crowd on their feet. 

Player of the Game

Mitch Creek

Creek continued his season-best form, ending the night with a double-double; 17 points and 13 rebounds.

From the Coach

Simon Mitchell

"We gave them too many open looks, that was disappointing. But we came back from that, I thought we put in two reasonable quarters defensively in third and fourth, but we had an incredibly bad shooting night."

From the Player

Alan Williams

"We didn’t haven’t that fight for four quarters and they out fought us. We were playing catch up for the game. Lost on our end for the lack of fight for four quarters."

Phoenix Media (16/1/23)