VMT MATCH REPORT: Phoenix Overran by a Full-Strength United
By
Phoenix Media
14 Dec
1
min read


A bumper crowd packed the Fire Pit at John Cain Arena, and despite blistering form heading into the third Throwdown of NBL24, the Phoenix couldn't hold the momentum against the ladder leading Melbourne United, falling 106-78.
United jumped the hosts taking a 17-point lead into the first break and never relinquished, outscoring the Phoenix in all-bar-one term and finishing with a 29-14 quarter.
It proved a battle of the big men, and in front of a sea of green, United's Jo Lual-Acuil Jnr recorded seven blocks, just shy of a league record, while at the other end Alan Williams continued his MVP-worthy form posting 12 points and 16 rebounds.
Gary Browne was instrumental in halting a further blowout, scoring a game-high 22 points alongside three rebounds.
The Phoenix will await on baited breath the injury report on Mitch Creek, the captain leaving the court with three minutes remaining in the game after some knee contact forced him to hobble.
Post-match head coach Mike Kelly said that if Creek pulled up too sore with the two-day turnaround before their next game, his captain wouldn't play against Illawarra.
Ben Ayre stepped seamlessly into the starters role that he had been eyeing off, another 11 points in 31 minutes of court time, while Rhys Vague made the most of his limited minutes, 3-4 from beyond the arc to finish with nine points on the night.
The Phoenix have less than 48 hours to lick their wounds, with the Hawks awaiting on Saturday.
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Full-Time Stats
Browne: 22p/2r/3a/2stl
Williams: 12p/16r/1a/1stl
Creek: 12p/6r/6a/1blk
Ayre: 11p/1r/2a/1stl
Vague: 9p/3r
Kenyon: 4p/8r
Te Rangi: 3p/1r/1stl/1blk
Foxwell: 3p/2r/2a/2stls
Gak: 2p/1r
Limited tickets remain for Saturday's game in Traralgon at the Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium against the Illawarra Hawks. - CLICK HERE TO SECURE YOUR SEAT

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