Phoenix Lose in One-Point Double Overtime Thriller

The Phoenix recruit had ice in his veins with less than three seconds left in regular time, only for NBA champion and United guard Ian Clark to return serve to send the game into overtime.

A to-and-fro bonus period saw another incredible tussle, before Glover repeated his feat, only this time to deposit from beyond-the-arc and send the game into double OT. 

The sixth period threatened to extend into a seventh before Akech Aliir found space for a layup through traffic, deliberately missing the free throw that prevented a Phoenix from attempting to level the game, finally ending the game after 9.30pm.

You’d be forgiven for thinking this was a championship decider, with the capacity crowd in raptures, treated to arguably one of the best pre-season showings in recent history.

Just 48 hours after the Phoenix first took the court with their new roster, they were back at it again against their cross-town rivals and NBL24 runners-up Melbourne United.

And it was a hot start with Glover (24 points, six rebounds) and Nathan Sobey (20 points, four assists) shooting out of the blocks to give the hosts a seven point lead at the first break.

But the surprise packet was JackJumpers recruit Tom Vodanovich (32 points, three rebounds) who found space at will and shot at 68 per cent from 16 attempts.

Carrying on from his efforts in Wangaratta, the Kiwi-national hit four threes and once again proved an issue for opposition defence. 

Sobey and starting big Jordi Hunter (10 points, seven rebounds) were on minutes restrictions, with first-choice point guard Derrick Walton Jr taken out of the game with staff taking the cautious approach on a calf complaint. 

That meant Owen Foxwell (10 points, five rebounds) and Ben Ayre (five assists) shouldered the load at the one spot.

Shea Ili (26 points, five assists) led the way for United, with Chris Goulding (14 points) unusually off from deep, shooting just 37 per cent from three from eight attempts with a close guard placed on the champion guard.

The Phoenix now wait for the NBL Blitz, with the side just 20 days away from their season opener against the Perth Wildcats at the inaugural Hoopsfest.

FT Stats

Vodanovich: 32p/3r
Glover: 24p/6r/4a
Sobey: 20p/2r/4a/1stl/1blk
Hunter: 10p/7r/3a/1blk
Foxwell: 10p/5r/3a/2stl
Lewis: 5p/7r/1a/1stl/1blk
Walton Jr: 4p/1r/3a/1blk
Wieskamp: 4p/3r/1stl
Kenyon: 4p/4r/1a
Majok: 4p/8r
Rosendale: 3p/1r
Ayre: 1r/5a/1stl

This was just a taster for what is to come when the Phoenix host United for their home opener on September 26 for Throwdown XXV. CLICK HERE to secure your seat today!