Late Game Heroics from Adnam and Creek Seal the Deal for Phoenix

A late fight back from Adelaide made Phoenix work harder to get the win over the 36ers on Friday night.

The first quarter opened with the Phoenix going on a 7-0 run before Adleaide worked there way back into the game.

Zhou Qi looked like he was going to take over the game before two quick fouls saw him take a seat on the bench.

What followed was an old fashioned shoot out with Mitch Creek and Daniel Johnson going head-to-head. Back-to-back 3s by Creek were answered by three in a row to Johnson.

At the end of the first the Phoenix led it 26-25, Creek and Johnson both finished the quarter with 14.

(Creek ended the night on 29 points and 7 rebounds.)

With Creek on the bench to start the second the Phoenix struggled to find a way to score before multiple turnovers saw them quickly in a 5 point hole.

Some strong work on the offensive glass got the Phoenix back in it and it, from there the Phoenix went on a run to go into the half leading 50-42.

A low scoring and even third lead to a run from the 36ers to start the final quarter gave the 36ers the lead before some late game heroics from behind the arc by Creek and Adnam sealed the win for the Phoenix.

Phoenix have a quick turnaround as they return home to face the Hawks on Sunday at the Fire Pit.

The Result

Phoenix 82 - 76 36ers

The Numbers

Phoenix
Mitch Creek 29 points, 7 rebounds, 5 assists
Ryan Broekhoff 12 points, 5 rebounds
Izayah Le'afa 11 points

36ers
Daniel Johnson 31 points

(Le'afa stood up in the pivotal moments in the game to get Phoenix back in it.)

The Turning Point

Half way through the last quarter, Le'afa showed what he is best at and that was a defensive act against Hannahs. The moment continued as he went down the other end after a time out and slotted a bucket to get Phoenix back on a roll.

The Player of the Game

Mitch Creek dominated the offensive end in the first half with 19 points, he continued to cause problems for the 36ers finishing with a team high 29 including a late 3 that gave the Phoenix the lead with 55 seconds left.

The Play of the Game

Early in the second half the 36ers had worked there way to a 5 point lead, before a sequence that saw the Phoenix grab four offensive boards before Xavier Munford made a sweeping left handed lay up to turn the momentum.

(Munford in action against Adelaide.)

From the Coach

"Kyle was a key, I thought Brandon was excellent especially in that first half when we were a bit leaky, and Adelaide were finding their avenues to score and I thought when Brandon entered the game we stand them tight a little bit thereand I thought his protection of the rim was particularly good."
- Simon Mitchell

From the Player

"I felt like we played a pretty good game, obviously we had some lows, for me I just wanted to make sure that I came into the game and play with energy and try to impact the game the best I could."
- Brandon Ashley

CLICK HERE for tickets to Sunday's game against the Hawks.

Phoenix Media (4/3/22)