Musashi Match Report: United Streak Away from Phoenix in Throwdown VII

Melbourne United had got back to winning the last two games but it had still been a struggle, but they sent a real message in the Throwdown on Saturday night of what they are capable with an 80-60 thumping of South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Melbourne had lost four straight games and there was questions beginning to be asked. They then fell down early against the Illawarra Hawks staring down a fifth consecutive loss. 

They turned it around in the second half before then again coming from behind to beat the New Zealand Breakers on Thursday. But the Phoenix at John Cain Arena on Saturday night was going to be a whole different challenge coming in on their own four-game winning run while regaining star point guard Keifer Sykes.

The game was still up for grabs with Melbourne only four points up at half-time, but they delivered a stunning second half at both ends of the floor and even held the Phoenix to just 23 points and to a franchise low 60 for the game.

Chris Goulding was already feeling it at half-time when he had 18 points on the board spurred on by the rare occasion of having same fans against him inside John Cain Arena. He finished the night with 25 points on 9/13 shooting from the floor and 5/9 from deep.

Jo Lual-Acuil was unstoppable at times too for 14 points on 7/9 shooting with Mitch McCarron adding 12 points, eight rebounds and six assists. Jack White returned successfully too getting through 16 minutes for four points and four rebounds, and a big two-handed dunk.

It was a rough night for the Phoenix who were outrebounded by 11, had 14 turnovers to just 10 assists, and shot 34 per cent from the field while only getting to the foul line nine times.

Gliddon top-scored with 13 points with 11 of those in the first quarter. Ben Moore added 12 points and seven rebounds, and Ryan Broekhoff showed more encouraging signs getting through 20 minutes for eight points.

Melbourne (13-5) now plays Cairns in the next three games starting at home on Friday while South East Melbourne (10-8) travel to Brisbane to face the Bullets the same night.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 11

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 60 (Gliddon 13, Moore 12, Broekhoff 8)

MELBOURNE UNITED 80 (Goulding 25, Lual-Acuil 14, McCarron 12) 

Written by NBL.com.au (27/03/2021)