VMT MATCH REPORT: Mammoth Win on the Road for the Phoenix Over 36ers

It was sure to be a massive game with Alan ‘Big Sauce’ Williams back in the side for his first game in NBL24.

It was also the first time the Phoenix finally got to try out the starting five they had planned to use for the season with Williams, Gary Browne, Will Cummings, Craig Moller, and Mitch Creek.

'Big Sauce' made an immediate impact, hitting the rim and his signature floaters to go with his first double-double for the season with 15 points and 13 rebounds.

After a quiet first half with only six points, Mitch Creek (23 points) came out of the blocks and led from the front with a massive 13-point third quarter.

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The game started on even ground with a back-and-forth offensively, even at 28 apiece at the first break.

After the quick start for the Phoenix in the second quarter, it became a whole team effort to get the massive 17-point win and a much-needed win on the road and their first back-to-back wins for the season.

In his first game back in the NBL after an NBA stint, Dejan Vasiljevic showed why he is the best sharpshooter in the league, hitting two quick threes.

But he was minimised from beyond the arc after the first quarter, only hitting 3/10.

The Phoenix now travel home with the 'W' and prepare for their second game for the round against the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday at the Fire Pit.

Double-Double Trouble

Williams wasn’t the only one getting the double-double taste. The #2 of Matt Kenyon was huge at both ends, helping his side to get the big win.

He ended the night on 11 points and 10 rebounds and showed the league how important he is for this Phoenix side.

Smooth by Will

Will Cummings continues to show his worldwide experience with his silky moves on the court.

Popping up when the Phoenix needed a score, he ended the night with 18 points, three rebounds, and five assists.

Nice Gary

If you need a spark person, Gary Browne is your man. He was the man who was so close to his own double-double, but he just did what Browne does best: finds his teammates and hits the scoreboard.

He finished with 19 points and eight rebounds.

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Full-Time Stats

Creek: 23p/3r/2a/1stl

Browne: 19p/8a

Cummings: 18p/3r/5a/1stl

Williams: 15p/13r/3a/1stl

Kenyon: 11p/10r/1a/1stl

Vague: 6p/1r

Moller: 4p/5r/1a/1stl

Gak: 4p/8r/1stl

Te Rangi: 2p/1r

Rosendale: 1a

CLICK HERE to secure your seats to Saturday's game against the Bullets.