Isaac
Years ago
Funny Sixers beat Tigers for tenth straight at home
The Adelaide 36ERS last night ended the visiting Melbourne Tigers seven-game streak and notched up their tenth in a row at home to strengthen their second spot on the NBL ladder, winning 109-92. Brett Maher was at his best, scoring an equal team-high 24 points at 53% and adding 7 rebounds and game-high 9 assists. Import Willie Farley added 20 points of his own and 8 assists while Dusty Rychart had 24 points.
For Melbourne, Dave Thomas was in top form, scoring 28 and adding 7 boards.
The Sixers led at every break to run out 17 point victors. The positive sign for the home fans was undoubtedly the third quarter, a period in which teams have tended to exploit Adelaide's slow starts after the half-time break. Maher and Rychart poured in 21 points between them during the term, and Oscar Forman made two from outside the arc as Adelaide outscored Melbourne 30-19 and went into the last twelve minutes with an 85-73 advantage.
In front of a quality crowd of 5,487 at the Distinctive Homes Dome, Adelaide built a slight lead at the opening, courtesy of Rychart and Jacob Holmes who shot well early.
Key Tiger Chris Anstey saw extensive time on the court but was rarely a focus for the visiting side, pushed into taking almost half of his field goals from the three-point line, and only converting three shots from the paint all night.
Farley and Maher combined for six steals against Melbourne who coughed up 21 turnovers to the Sixers 10 and helped decide the game.
Adelaide incurred a technical foul in the second quarter and Melbourne converted both free throws to push a small lead, but the 36ERS were not deterred. Farley's steal and successful fast break almost on the half-time buzzer gave Adelaide a 55-54 scoreline.
In the crucial third period, it was basket for basket until Farley and Maher each scored and gave Adelaide a handy double-figure lead.
Melbourne had the firepower to break their way back into the game, and had reeled in part of the deficit with star Anstey on the bench and still to rejoin the game. But more magic from Maher and Farley, including a trademark last-term three from the import, and 5 points in the quarter from Mark Nash sealed the win.
Adelaide secure second spot with a 14-4 record, while the Tigers are firm in third on 13-5. Adelaide next face the Bullets in Brisbane on November 30, while Melbourne host Perth later in the round.
Adelaide 36ERS 109 (Rychart 24, Maher 24, Farley 20, Holmes 11, Nash 10)
Melbourne Tigers 92 (Thomas 28, Hoare 15, Anstey 13)
