Isaac
Years ago
Funny Maher steadies Sixers, edges Wildcats
Brett Maher steadied the wavering Adelaide 36ERS in the final moments of a Friday night win over the visiting Perth Wildcats, scoring a season-high 28 points in the 104-98 win. Perth had reeled in a 10 point deficit to draw level, but Maher responded with a clutch three-pointer and crucial steal to secure the win.
Jacob Holmes had a three-point play to close the game and finished with 14 points and 7 rebounds. He added a game-high 8 assists, while Maher dished out 7 and Willie Farley managed 5 to go with his 20 points.
Wildcat Peter Crawford was instrumental in the Perth recovery, scoring 20 points in the second half, but was let down by technical fouls to team-mates Tony Ronaldson and David Bailey during the game.
One technical to Ronaldson after a foul on Maher attempting a three-pointer saw Adelaide extend their lead by eight points in only a few seconds: Maher made 3 from 3 free throws from the shooting foul, 2 from 2 as a result of the technical, and then Oscar Forman nailed an outside shot for another three points on the resulting possession. From the stripe, the Sixers were especially accurate, converting 25 of 27 attempts, mostly courtesy of Maher's perfect 11 of 11.
The home-team were beaten on the boards 33-46 as the Wildcats pulled down 21 offensive rebounds, and gave up 24 turnovers (including 20 from the usually careful starting five) and 10 extra shot opportunities to Perth, but were more accurate from the field.
Adelaide had started the game from behind, chasing Perth during the opening term before closing out with some solid plays to enter the first break up by four despite foul-trouble for Dusty Rychart. Perth were hampered by an ankle injury to ex-Sixer Paul Rogers that saw him play less than three minutes of the game before taking a seat for the remainder of the game.
The Sixers continued their run to open the second quarter before some sloppy play left the teams trading baskets. Farley helped to ensure a lead near the half-time buzzer, adding his third triple in the first half to have 15 points at the main break.
Only Perth's Crawford put up much of a show for the visitors in the third quarter as they were outscored 27-21 by Adelaide. He looked like he could have the Sixers' measure, repeatedly getting open for long-range baskets before the technical on Ronaldson allowed Adelaide to push their advantage from six to 14 points.
Bailey frustrated the 36ERS' ball-handlers in the fourth and worked with Crawford to give Perth a chance, but undid the majority of his efforts with a technical foul called on him for kicking a courtside sign in frustration.
Regardless, Perth drew level with a minute to play and the home-side looked out of luck when Farley's last shot of the game rimmed out. Forman, however, snared a critical offensive rebound and Maher sank the three for a 101-98 margin. His steal on the final Wildcats possession meant game-over for Perth, as Holmes made it 104-98 with a drive to the basket and one bonus from the stripe.
Adelaide remain undefeated at home, now with 11 straight wins at the Distinctive Homes Dome, and second on the NBL ladder. They next play the Sydney Kings in Adelaide while the Perth Wildcats face the Tigers in Melbourne.
Adelaide 36ers 104 (Maher 28, Farley 20, Holmes 14, Rychart 12)
Perth Wildcats 98 (Crawford 25, Redhage 15, Bailey 13)
