VMT MATCH REPORT: Phoenix Humbled Across the Ditch

South East Melbourne travelled without Alan Williams at their disposal, the big centre resigned to hype man after a knee complaint ended his regular season prematurely during the week.

The hosts shot out to a 25-10 lead at the first break on the back of their two figureheads Parker Jackson-Cartwright (13 points, seven rebounds) and Anthony Lamb (31 points).

Mike Kelly was vocal in the timeouts after his side were held to just two points in the opening six minutes.

Gary Browne (four points, three assists) was unusually quiet in the opening half, Mody Maor clearly deploying Jackson-Cartwright as a close tag to curb the Puerto Rican’s influence.

A rev-up from the coaches sparked the Phoenix in Spark Arena, coming out of the break quickly to score six unanswered points.

But that was quickly erased as New Zealand had back-to-back four point plays as the Phoenix foul trouble continued in round 16, Kelly pleading with his side to stop fouling.

The Phoenix’s accuracy from the stripe held them in excellent stead, 18-18 free throws a complete turnaround from their 26 per cent field shooting percentage in the opening half.

Another strong start to the third term was soured when NBA 200-gamer Abdel Nader fouled out leaving the thin roster available even more slender.

Remarkably, the visitors would lose Gary Browne, Gorjok Gak and Anzac Rissetto who earned their final fouls in the fourth, as the Breakers lead grew in the dying stages of the contest.

Always within reach of drawing level, the Phoenix were lead brilliantly, as usual, by their MVP-candidate captain in Mitch Creek, who was typically dominant posting 27 points and seven rebounds to round out his impressive night.

Gorjok Gak, in his first year with the Phoenix, continued his upward trajectory after returning from injury, another 13 points adding to his resume.

The Phoenix will have just six days to lick their wounds before they return to the State Basketball Centre against the Sydney Kings.

Full-Time Stats

Creek: 27p/7r/3stls
Gak: 13p/3r/2stls
Kenyon: 7p/6r/1a
Ayre: 7p/2r/4a
Nader: 6p/1r/1a
Te Rangi: 6p/5r/4a/1stl
Browne: 4p/3a
Stattmann: 3p/2r
Foxwell: 2p/1r/1a/1stl
Rissetto: 2r
Vague: 1r/1a

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