VMT MATCH REPORT: Phoenix Stay Undefeated at the Fire Pit
5 Nov
1
min read


A crowd of more 7500 packed out John Cain Arena to keep the Phoenix's home-record unblemished, the hosts toppling the Cairns Taipans 91-78.
On the back of yet another double-double from Alan Williams (18 points, 15 rebounds) and a typically dominant performance by captain Mitch Creek (21 points, 11 rebounds), South East Melbourne dealt with a travel-weary Taipans with relative ease.
A big thank you to @CollingwoodFC Premiership player Bobby Hill for presenting the game ball for our Indigenous game! 🖤💛❤️ pic.twitter.com/HDNC1WD8iJ
— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) November 5, 2023
Matt Kenyon (12 points, six rebounds, three steals) started tonight in lieu of injured import Will Cummings (left corkie), a huge influence on both sides of the court.
<iframe width="560" height="315" src='https://cdn.nbl.com.au/embed/embed.html?url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgAfEj6W89c' title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe>
Ben Ayre continued his surge towards claiming Sixth Man of the Year, 10 points off the bench somewhat of an expectation from the former Cairns guard.
Working hard defensively with seven steals, the Phoenix used the Taipan's mistakes to their advantage and kept the lead after the quarter-time break.
It was even performance for the Taipans, with Taran Armstrong, Sam Waardenburg, and Lat Mayen all having 12 points.
The Phoenix now have a full week of training before taking on cross-town rivals Melbourne United for Throwdown XXII.
Captain Creek
If you need a guy to create highlights at a critical time, enter captain Mitch Creek. As the Phoenix played out the third and went into a double-digit lead, the clock ticked down with Gary Browne with the ball. A smooth pass to Creek and a buzzer-beater three was a highlight of the game.
That buzzer beater by Creek 🤌
— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) November 5, 2023
📺 Watch on ESPN ➡️ Kayo Freebies | 10Peach |10 Play pic.twitter.com/f0nPIXlRwS
Big Sauce, Big Energy
The go-to hype man on the court, Alan Williams, fed off the crowd's energy to get his double-double for the game at half-time. But that wasn't just it for 'Sauce', using his tough exterior to make the vast plays and get Phoenix back on the winner's list.
Big time by Sauce! đź’Ş
— South East Melbourne Phoenix (@SEMelbPhoenix) November 5, 2023
📺 Watch on ESPN | Kayo Freebies | 10Peach | 10 Play pic.twitter.com/Ann9hfDLgh
Full-Time Stats
Creek: 21p/11r/1a/1stl
Williams: 18p/15r/2a/1blk
Browne: 14p/3r/8a
Kenyon: 12p/6r/3stls
Te Rangi: 10p/3r/1a/1stl
Ayre: 10p/1stl
Moller: 6p/9r/1stl/1blk
Vague: 1r
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