ALTHOUGH they faced a fierce challenge from their underdog opponent, the Adelaide 36ers were able to get the job done in the final National Basketball League (NBL) game of the weekend, defeating the Brisbane Bullets.

The Bullets faced a tall order when they welcomed the ladder-leading Sixers to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Sunday afternoon, although they had delivered some brave performances since their recent coaching change, which now has Daryl McDonald in the interim role and troubling some sides.

However, Adelaide once again benefited from having one of the best scorers the NBL has ever seen in Bryce Cotton, and managed to overcome a half-time deficit to storm past the Bullets and claim an 11-point win on the road.

Brisbane Bullets (86) def. by Adelaide 36ers (97)

The Bullets faced an early blow when important forward Sam McDaniel departed the game with another injury, having just returned to the lineup. However, Brisbane showed plenty of resilience through the loss, and managed to hold onto a five-point buffer at the first change after holding the Sixers to just 15 points in the opening frame.

Brisbane fed off the energy delivered in the first quarter, and continued to stay in control heading towards half time. Although the Sixers showed glimpses of getting off the chain, the Bullets were playing with plenty of heart, and when NBA Champion Alex Ducas knocked down a three-pointer to close out another strong quarter, the lead was pushed out to seven points at half time.

Following a quiet first half where he had just two points to his name, Cotton erupted in the third frame, breaking the game open with a 13-point burst to help Adelaide snatch control of the match. After starting the third frame on a 10-0 run, the Sixers took the lead despite being bested in the first half, and led by three points at the final change in a huge turnaround.

Although Brisbane was within striking distance with a quarter to play, Cotton cashed in from long range with his fourth and fifth three-pointers to give the Sixers some breathing space in the early stages of the final frame. Having taken the lead just after half time, Adelaide never surrendered its scoreboard advantage, and held on for an impressive win in enemy territory.

Cotton proved to be the difference, with 21 of his 23 points coming in the second half where the match was fought and won. His ability to light up the contest from behind the arc was what pushed Adelaide over the edge and he furthered his claims on a sixth Most Valuable Player (MVP) award, despite some strong competition from Kendric Davis of late.

Also impressing for Adelaide were import forward Zylan Cheatham, who had a double-double of 17 points and 10 rebounds, and Flynn Cameron, who continued his breakout campaign with another 18 points.

Despite the loss, the Bullets still had some standout performers, headlined by Ducas, who was able to deliver one of his most productive performances in a Brisbane jersey with 18 points, while import pair Terry Taylor (18 points) and Hunter Maldonado (16 points, nine rebounds) were also crucial, particularly in the first half.