VMT MATCH REPORT: Depleted Phoenix Suffer Worst Loss in Club’s History

The Phoenix were without three of the five starters from just six days ago - and played for the first time ever without an import player - and it showed in the 38-point loss with Mike Kelly having to rely on his development players throughout the contest.

Without MVP-candidate Alan Williams (knee) and Abdel Nader (hand), Sam Froling scored 20 points, the big perfect from the field from nine attempts.

Gary Clark too took advantage of the inexperienced Phoenix bigs, the American dominant in the paint with 16 points and 13 rebounds.

To add further pain, Gary Browne (groin) was a late withdrawal, the visitors handing the ball to Ben Ayre and Owen Foxwell to control.

In positive news for the Heartland fans, Kiwi centre Anzac Rissetto earned his first NBL start, Reuben Te Rangi and Gorjok Gak returned and all of the available development players found court time.

Mitch Creek was the standout for the Phoenix, 24 points and seven rebounds to round out his night, one of just three in Green to score double digits.

The Phoenix now find themselves out of the top-six in eighth spot, replaced by the very team that handed them defeat at the WIN Entertainment Centre.

South East Melbourne get a break before playing the Wildcats next Sunday in Perth.

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Full-Time Stats

Creek: 24p/7r/4a/1stl

Stattmann: 11p/2r/1a/2stls

Ayre: 10p/1r/3a

Foxwell: 7p/5r/3a

Rosendale: 7p/1stl

Kenyon: 5p/2r/1stl

Te Rangi: 4p/3r

Gak: 4p/4r/1a/2blks

Vague: 4p/3r/2blks

Rissetto: 2p/1r/1blk