Phoenix Defeat United in Sell-Out Crowd

The table was set for Throwdown XVIII, both teams were coming off a loss, both sides were desperate for a win, and the Fire Pit was packed to the rafters.

A sell-out Fire Pit were fired up and ready to get the Phoenix over the line. After a slow start the Phoenix worked their way back into the game and by half time led by seven points. 

Phoenix came out firing after the break as Ryan Broekhoff hit back-to-back threes and the Phoenix were rolling. Mitch Creek went beast mode and the home team went into the final break up by 23 points.

The final quarter was academic with the Phoenix running out 13 point winners.

Phoenix have a week’s break before returning to the Fire Pit to take on the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday, November 27 at 4pm.

(Throwdown XVIII was a sell-out for Phoenix's first home Throwdown game.)

The Result:

South East Melbourne Phoenix 84 - 69 Melbourne United

The Numbers

Phoenix
Creek: 23 points, 9 rebounds
Williams: 18 points, 15 rebounds
Browne: 16 points, 5 rebounds, 11 assists

United
Tucker: 22 points

The Turning Point

Broekhoff had a quiet game on Thursday, but in the middle of a 17-0 run he dropped back-to-back threes and in the blink of an eye the Phoenix were up by 24.

The Play of the Game

To say Gary Browne had the ball on a string would be an under-statement. On the fast break Browne streamed down the court, broke down his defender, dribbled the ball threw his legs and hit Trey Kell in his shooting pocket, the result was all net.

The Player of the Game

Too hard to split imports Alan Williams and Gary Browne, Williams had 18 points and 15 rebounds, while Browne finished with 16 and 11.

(Kell going for a bucket in the win over United.)

From the Coach

Simon Mitchell

“It was a rough weekend firstly, there’s a bit of a dint in the pride. Some different personnel, some guys didn’t get to play last time against Melbourne United. I thought our match ups were better tonight, but I thought there was a bit of a sting in the tail and coming from Perth. Some of our defensive lapses in the game against Perth. There was a point to prove and it was good to see the guys respond.”

From the Player

Gary Browne

“I think we see it as I was happy with the win, I think we got a great team, so we just trying to find rhythm within the games that we are playing, whether that is at home or on the road. We see it more like we know who we are, we just got to execute every play.”

CLICK HERE to secure your tickets for Phoenix's next home game on November 27 against the Hawks.

Phoenix Media (19/11/22)