Phoenix Keep Bullets Winless

South East Melbourne Phoenix get a back-to-back wins for the first time in NBL23 as they defeat the Brisbane Bullets in front of a home crowd at John Cain Arena.

Last season the Phoenix struggled to finish games, there was a lack of poise, a lack of one player who could take control of the game at the critical moment. 

In the off-season they recruited Gary Browne for just those moments, and when the moment came Browne was the man. 

Needing a bucket, Creek pulled him to the side and said "it’s time to be a gangsta, go put that guy on an island and take us home." 

Browne isolated Tanner Krebs, waved away his teammates and went to work. 

The result was a one point win for Phoenix. 

Up next for the Phoenix is a road trip to Perth and then the 36ers visit the Fire Pit on Sunday. 

(Phoenix get a one-point win over the Bullets on Saturday night.) 

The Result

South East Melbourne Phoenix 89 - 88 Brisbane Bullets

The Numbers

Phoenix 

Creek: 31 points, 7 rebounds 

Williams: 11 points, 8 rebounds

Adnam: 10 points, 7 assists

Bullets

Cadee: 21 points

Johnson: 15 points

The Turning Point

Breokhoff steal 

In the last quarter, Ryan Broekhoff made a steal which lead to an unsportsmanlike foul. He went one from two from the line and on the ensuing possession hit a massive three. 

(Broekhoff taking a three-point shot in the win.)

The Player of the Game

Mitch Creek

After half-time, Creek came out on fire scoring eight points in less than a minute, ending the night with 31 points and seven rebounds.

The Play of the Game

Gary Browne put Tanner Krebs on skates

Browne was bought into Phoenix to close out close games and that is what he did. In the final minutes Browne put Krebs on skates, stepped back and drained the jumper.

(Browne lit up the Fire Pit in the last quarter.)

From the Player

Ryan Broekhoff

"It was great, the atmosphere here really picked us up. We had a tough trip down in New Zealand, so we needed that energy from the fans, so they really got us over the line tonight."

CLICK HERE to tickets for next home game against the Adelaide 36ers

Phoenix Media (22/10/22)