Last Quarter Phoenix Surge Snuffed Out

In a crucial game for both teams, it was the Hawks who came out firing, hitting their opening two threes to quickly take the lead. The Phoenix made Zhou Qi a major target early as the big man kept the visiting team in the game.

The Hawks were 9-11 inside the arc and 44% from outside taking a 30-20 lead into quarter time.
 
Early in the second, the Phoenix found themselves down by 13, thanks to seven point 2nd quarter from Rueben Te Rangi and some big 3s from Kyle Adnam and Xavier Munford the Phoenix cut the lead to 5.

 
Duop Reath didn’t miss in the first half scoring 18 points and dragging in 9 rebounds, at the other end Zhou Qi finished the half on 11 points and 6 boards.
 
The Hawks entered the main break leading 53-48.
 
The Hawks scored heavily in the third quarter, while at the other end the Phoenix struggled to find a way to tick the scoreboard over. They finished the final 90 seconds stronger than the Phoenix to lead by 18 at 3 quarter time.
 
Down by 19 late in the final quarter, the Phoenix made a run cutting the lead to 3, but it was too little too late, the Hawks steadied and secured the win.
 
The Result
 
Hawks 103 - Phoenix 97
 
The Numbers
 
Phoenix
Zhou Qi:  23 points, 8 rebounds
Izayah Leafa: 12 points, 3-6 from three.
 
Hawks
Duop Reath: 22 points, 12 rebounds.
 
The Turning Point
 
The last 90 seconds of the third quarter saw the Hawks go on a 8-0 run, taking the lead from 10 to 18.
 
The Player of the Game
 
Zhou Qi was the one shining light for the Phoenix finishing the game with  23 and  8 boards. Foul trouble was the only thing that could slow him down.

 
The Play of the Game
 
Hard to find a play of the game on a rough night for the Phoenix.
 
From the Coach
Simon Mitchell
"You set yourself up for a result like that when you give up 21 offensive boards, it's just not good enough. It's a disappointing result for us. You give up 21 extra shots to your opponent and you're going to hurt yourself, we were also 10-19 from the line so lots for us to work on. We're in a bit of a hole."

 
From the Player
Kyle Adnam
"Not much changes for us leading into the next game. It's a short turn around we'll look at the scout, do all the things we do leading into a game but I think as we put our heads on the pillow it’s about what can we do as individuals to be better. How can we help the team win, Simon gives us all the right answers all the time, he trusts in us, and we have to respond. Tonight I was disappointed in the group and myself, we just have to be better, as simple as that." 

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Phoenix Media (17/3/22)