Isaac
Years ago
36ERS lift at home, defeat champs
It's been a common feeling over the last few years -- the Adelaide 36ERS elevating their game to defeat the deep, visiting Kings -- and tonight was no exception. The Sixers used a 12-0 opening en route to a 30-18 first quarter as a starting point for an eventual 5 point win.
It was Willie Farley who paced the Sixers, scoring 12 points in the first quarter, and combining with Mark Nash to put the home side ahead early. The Kings struggled to contain the home team's outside scoring, and found the Adelaide defense rock-solid as David Cooper, especially, intercepted incoming Sydney feeds.
The 36ERS won the key categories (Jacob Holmes contributed 12 rebounds as part of a 53-45 edge on the boards) and despite an average performance from the charity stripe (53%), pushed past the Kings. No Sydney player was really able to establish themselves, though Luke Kendall nailed some key final quarter threes to hold the result in doubt until the last few minutes. Sydney's 43 three point attempts saw many rebounds fall far from the basket, and led to key rebounding from Adelaide's guards -- Brett Maher adding a solid 9 rebounds to his game-high 26 points and 6 assists, and Willie Farley pulling down 7 rebounds for himself.
The Kings core was left lacking, Jason Smith shooting a woeful 4 of 15 for only 11 points in 41 minutes, and young gun Mark Worthington scoreless from the field, adding only two free throws to his personal tally. Kendall had 21 points, and CJ Bruton was quiet but able with 21 also. Making the most of his time on court was David Barlow, who had 16 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists in 25 minutes.
Mark Nash's scoring was a highlight in the first half as the careful forward made efficient use of his time and scored 15 points all up (14 in the first half) off 67% shooting. After the long break, it was Maher, Rychart and Farley who contributed the most offensively, and the Kings were forced to foul at times, leaving Rolan Roberts out of the game on six fouls early in the last term.
Though Adelaide lost the final quarter, the result was fairly predictable after the first period run -- no fan doubted that Sydney would make a dash for the lead, and Brett Maher nailed an expected and particularly clutch three as part of 19 second half points, to secure the victory. The improved crowd lifted, knowing well that this was the basket that mattered.
Adelaide 99, Sydney 94. Maher superb for 26, 9 and 6, outrebounding almost everyone on the court. Farley impressive early for 22 points and 7 boards, and Rychart and Nash with 15 each. Holmes was lacking from the field (2/12), but useful on the boards, with a game-high of 12.
The 36ERS move to 3-1 for the season, and face Cairns at home on October 1. The Kings (3-2), meanwhile, visit Melbourne on the same night, before hosting Townsville in Sydney two days later.
