STAR 36ers recruit Bryce Cotton put on one of his trademark shows at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre last night as he guided the home team to a 17-point win over South East Melbourne Phoenix. Coming off their first loss of the season to the Sydney Kings on Saturday, the 36ers responded in the best possible way to win, 88-71.

Adelaide 36ers (88) def. South East Melbourne Phoenix (71)

Cotton put on a show, sinking 28 points – including four from long-range – while managing six assists, four rebounds and three steals in an all-round performance. He teamed up well with big man Isaac Humphries (21 points, 10 rebounds) who picked up a double-double and really asserted himself around the rim with four offensive rebounds.

The game was just about over before it began as the 36ers livened up the passionate home crowd of just under 10,000 people as they raced out to a 12-point lead at the first break. Having notched up 50 points by half-time, the 36ers were 23 points clear of their rivals when they headed into half-time.

To the Phoenix’s credit. they continued to fight to the end as rotations became a factor for the 36ers, with South East Melbourne winning the last two quarters, and the second half as a whole by six points. The result meant the Phoenix slip to an even win-loss ledger of 2-2.

South East Melbourne was its own worst enemy however, shooting at 37.3 per cent from inside the arc, as the 36ers continually got good looks and ran at almost 50 per cent (48.1 per cent). The Phoenix did more damage from long-range (eight triples) but were still inaccurate as a whole for the night. Fortunately the losing side was fairly clean with its passes, only conceding 10 turnovers for the night.

Adelaide’s rim protection was key, picking up 38 defensive rebounds to South East Melbourne’s 26. The main players behind the success other than Humphries (six) were double-digit defensive rebounder Zylan Cheatham – who finished the night with 14 rebounds to go with his eight points and three assists – and Nick Rakocevic who pulled in six defensive rebounds among 10 total in just 18 minutes on court.

The Phoenix shared the rock around, with Jordan Hunter (16 points) top-scoring in the end, with he and skipper Nathan Sobey (12 points) emerging with seven rebounds apiece. Angus Glover (11 points) and Malique Lewis (10) were the only other major scorers. A highlight was the work of Hunter Maldonado who finished with seven assists to go with eight points, three rebounds and three steals.

Adelaide will have the quick two-day turnaround to head north to Cairns where they take on the Taipans from 5:30pm on Saturday. The Phoenix also have the short break, hosting Illawarra Hawks back down at John Cain Arena on Saturday night, 8pm.