STANLEY MATCH REPORT: 36ers prevail despite Phoenix lengthy lead

The South East Melbourne Phoenix opened a double-figure first half lead but the Adelaide 36ers blew them away after half-time with DJ Vasiljevic having 17 points and five three-pointers alone in the fourth quarter in the 94-81 win.

Second spot going into the FIBA break went on the line at John Cain Arena on Saturday night and the Phoenix did look on track for a statement win opening up an 11-point lead in the first half.

However, Adelaide took control with 57 points to 38 in the second half and it was Vasiljevic in his new role off the bench that saw him once again light up the Phoenix not the first time.

He played less than four minutes in the first half and was scoreless, but warmed up with five points in the third quarter and then knocked down five triples with 17 points in the fourth frame as the Sixers won by 13 to cement second spot at 11-3.

Just three days after an emotional Bryce Cotton fired Adelaide to victory over Illawarra, the five-time MVP was important in the second half performance too.

He had just six points at half-time but sprung to life with 10 points in the third quarter on his way to 19 points and nine assists.

Powerhouse forward Zylan Cheatham finished with 15 points and 16 rebounds along with providing a huge highlight with his one-handed put-back dunk in the fourth quarter after a missed Cotton three.

Flynn Cameron also finished with 14 points, four rebounds and three assists for Adelaide, and Isaac Humphries 12 points, three boards and two steals.

The Phoenix now have lost all four games they've played against top two teams Melbourne and Adelaide this season to be 9-4 on the season heading into the FIBA break.

Nathan Sobey once again top-scored with another 26 points, four rebounds and three assists with Jordan Hunter knocking down another three triples on his way to 20 points, 12 rebounds, three assists and two blocks.

John Brown III also had 16 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Wes Iwundu 10 points and six assists with the Phoenix without Malique Lewis and Hunter Maldonado.

The Phoenix were coming off a commanding win in Brisbane on Thursday night and kept that momentum to be leading 43-37 going into the half-time break having led by 11 along the way.

Cotton then contributed 10 of the Sixers' 30 points in the third-quarter, as the visitors turned for home with a 67-64 advantage.

Cheatham's huge dunk gave the Sixers huge momentum and they powered clear for a big win, with Vasiljevic sealing the result when he caught fire late.

Both teams now go into the FIBA break with the Phoenix next in action afterwards on Thursday December 4 on the road to the Illawarra Hawks.

FULL TIME STATS

Sobey: 26p/4r/3a 
Hunter: 20p/12r/3a/2blk
Brown III: 16p/6r/3a
Iwundu: 10p/3r/6a/1blk
Glover: 6p/5a
Foxwell: 3p/3r/1a/1stl
Foster: 1r
Aliir: 1stl

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