Phoenix Prevail in Dominant 52-Point Win

Opting to rest their veterans in Nathan Sobey and Derrick Walton Jr, the Phoenix fielded a slightly different starting five giving Mike Kelly a look at his roster length.

The beneficiaries would be NBL1 teammates and backcourt duo Angus Glover (14 points, six rebounds) and Owen Foxwell (eight points) who connected early and gave viewers a glimpse of what to expect in the upcoming NBL25 season, and Ben Ayre (15 points, 5-9 from 3pt) who led all comers and paraded his deep shooting.

All Ayre 👌

5/7 from deep for Ben 🔟 so far 🔥

💻 Live on Kayo Sports pic.twitter.com/NxWkYOeLGi

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) September 13, 2024

The Phoenix’s defensive efforts on Wednesday continued on 48 hours later against Adelaide, registering a rapid four steals in the opening six minutes and pushing out to a double-digit lead before the Gold Coast crowd could blink.

The 36ers, without their tentpoles in Isaac Humphries and Dejan Vasiljevic, and fellow guards Jason Cadee and Kendric Davis were restricted to just 14 points in the opening stanza which would have pleased the Phoenix brass.

The lead shot out to 28 points in the second on the back of Ben Ayre and Joe Wieskamp’s range shooting, with the US forward posting his first double-double for the Phoenix with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

He's a Wies-zard!!! 🪄 @JWieskamp21

Two back-to-back steals 🔥

💻 Live on Kayo Sports pic.twitter.com/ReXM6wWzl5

— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) September 13, 2024

A number of NBA scouts in the stands had their eyes on Malique Lewis, and the Next Star didn’t disappoint posting 10 points, four rebounds and some lengthy blocks and steals that would make any elite recruiter salivate.

Majok Majok (nine points, 10 rebounds) also showed his wares as the Phoenix’s backup centre, his hulking frame and defensive edge clearly born out of nearly a decade in the league.

The final margin of 52-points was the biggest victory by any team this pre-season, on the back of the Phoenix posting the biggest score on Wednesday against the Kings.

Despite the clear resting of a number of walk-up starters on both sides, pundits predictions for the Phoenix continue to rise, with an ultra-impressive offensive and defensive showing doing the team no harm ahead of NBL25.

The Phoenix travel to Perth next week to take on the Wildcats ahead of the inaugural Hoopsfest.

FULL TIME STATS

Ayre: 15PTS | 1REBS | 4ASTS | 1STL
Glover: 14PTS | 6REBS | 5ASTS 
Wieskamp: 11PTS | 10REBS | 5STLS
Lewis: 10PTS | 4REBS | 2ATS | 1STL
Hunter: 10PTS | 6REBS | 4ASTS | 1STL
Majok: 9PTS | 10REBS | 1ASTS
Hurt: 8PTS | 5REBS | 3ATS | 2STLS
Foxwell: 8PTS | 3REBS | 1AST | 1STL
Vodanovich: 8PTS | 5REBS | 1AST | 1STL
Rosendale: 6PTS | 1REB | 1AST | 1STL
Kenyon: 2PTS | 5REBS | 1AST | 1STL | 2BLKS

The Phoenix will open up the NBL in Melbourne with their home opener Throwdown on September 26th. CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR SEATS before it sells out!