Phoenix Hold off Kings Reign in Double Overtime

It took two extra sessions and a performance for the ages from Mitch Creek, but the South East Melbourne Phoenix defeated the Sydney Kings by one point. 

The Phoenix took this game to the people of Latrobe City, and not only did they show up, they packed the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium, and with every Phoenix bucket, they lifted the roof. 

Sydney lost Xavier Cooks early; then the Phoenix lost both Gary Browne and Ryan Broekhoff to injury,

Owen Foxwell stepped up to the plate and immediately impacted with three charges and a three to get Phoenix the lead. 

The Kings never went away, nor did Phoenix, as Creek and Walton Jr traded huge shots before a Reuben Te Rangi three gave the Phoenix the lead for good in double overtime.

Phoenix now prepare for Brisbane Bullets next Wednesday at Nissan Arena.

(Creek was huge in the one-point win in double overtime for the Phoenix.)

The Result

South East Melbourne Phoenix 113 - 112 Sydney Kings

The Numbers

Phoenix
Creek: 46 points, 10 rebounds
Kell: 21 points, 7 rebounds
Williams: 10 points, 9 rebounds

Kings
Walton Jr: 45 points, 10 assists

The Turning Point

Owen Foxwell

In the third, young gun Foxwell subbed in and was big in crunch time. He drew three charges before giving the Phoenix the lead for the first time since the first quarter with a three. 

(Foxwell made an immediate impact when he was subbed in, in the third.)

The Play of the Game

Trey Kell free throws 

End of the fourth quarter, Kell headed to the free throw line with the Phoenix down by three; he calmly knocked down all three and sent the game to overtime. 

The Player of the Game

Mitch Creek

It's impossible to go past the Phoenix co-captain, Creek who was enormous; 46 points and 10 rebounds and played all but two and a half minutes; he refused to let the Phoenix lose.

From the Coach

Simon Mitchell

"Shout-out to Gippsland, they created that event with their support for us for coming out here. The environment they created was loud, I don't think anyone could hear any call out there. The contest was special, there was a couple of special performances with Walton Jr and Creek. And then just a coin-flip at the end in which way it was going to go."

From the Player

Mitch Creek

"It was a very highly intellectual game, like there was a lot of moving pieces, like we made counters to their offences and defences and then they would make adjustments. Everyone was moving pieces on the board and it was actually pretty cool."

(It was a sell-out at GRISS, with the loud crowd getting the Phoenix over the line at the end.)

Limited tickets still remain for the three home games at SBC in January. CLICK HERE to secure your seat.

Phoenix Media (18/12/22)