VMT MATCH REPORT: Phoenix falls in front of a Packed SBC to the 36ers

The away team jumped out of the blocks through the sharpshooting of Kyrin Galloway, who shot 80 per cent from the field, and 71 per cent from the beyond the arc.

Gorjok Gak started for the Phoenix as MVP contender Alan Williams sat on the sideline nursing a knee complaint.

Gak showed his strength at both ends immediately, proving an imposing figure and ending the night with 12 points and eight rebounds.

Abdel Nader hit the court after coming back from a hand injury and was the leading scorer for the Phoenix, posting 18 points.

The 36ers weren’t daunted by the one-eyed Phoenix crowd, and even without Jacob Wiley or Next Star Trentyn Flowers available; they proved too strong for Mike Kelly’s side.

Big man Isaac Humphries was huge, having a game-high 25 points and seven rebounds. 

Former Phoenix import Trey Kell’s familiarity with the court served him well, hitting 21 points and seven boards.

Remarkably, South East Melbourne outscored their opponents 45-42 in the penultimate and final terms, but ultimately the damage had already been done in the opening half.

The Phoenix's will head across the ditch to face the red-hot New Zealand Breakers on Saturday as round 16 continues.

Mike Kelly post-match said he wasn’t looking too far ahead, taking the little wins each day as he slowly gets his full roster back to full strength.

The Phoenix will need to arrest their steep slide if they’re any chance of a play-in berth, having lost seven of their last eight NBL encounters.

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Full-Time Stats

Nader: 18p/3r/1a/1blk

Creek: 14p/4r/2a/3stls

Gak: 12p/8r/1a/2blks

Ayre: 10p/2r/3a

Te Rangi: 6p

Vague: 6p/5r/2a/1blk

Browne: 6p/2r/2a/1stl

Kenyon: 5p/2r/1a/1stl

Rissetto: 3p/2r

Rapp: 3p/3r

Stattmann: 2p/1stl

Foxwell: 1r/3a/1stl