DESPITE trailing by as much as 21 points in Sunday afternoon’s National Basketball League (NBL) play-in match, the SEM Phoenix rallied to defeat the Adelaide 36ers and lock in the final semi-final spot at John Cain Arena.

It was set up as an enthralling matchup between two red-hot teams in the back half of the fixture, with the Phoenix earning a double-chance following a loss to the Perth Wildcats, while the Sixers eliminated the Sydney Kings earlier in the week.

Although it looked as if the Sixers were going to keep their form rolling with a big first half performance, the Phoenix dug deep to keep their championship hopes alive with a 10-point triumph that will go down in the history books.

South East Melbourne Phoenix (85) def. Adelaide 36ers (75)

It was a low-scoring scrappy start to the contest, with neither side able to really get into a rhythm in the first 10 minutes of the game. The stars were making their mark however, with Matt Hurt and Kendric Davis both producing handy makes for their respective sides. Although the Phoenix looked to get their noses in front, the Sixers recorded the final six points of the term to lead 16-15 after one period.

The second quarter flipped the script after a slow opening term, with Adelaide completely getting on top and stunning the crowd at John Cain Arena. Rallying behind the star power of Davis and Montrezl Harrell, the Sixers broke away, with the latter in particular having his say on the contest. Outsizing his direct opponent in Hurt, Harrell was unstoppable at times, and the visitors remarkably led by 19 points at the main change.

South East Melbourne was always going to make a run in the third quarter, but for much of the period, the Sixers did well to hold off the home side. With just three minutes left until the final change, Adelaide still led by 16 points before the Phoenix took over. A 10-0 run from the home side turned the game on its head, and the Sixers became sloppier with the ball, turning it over on the eve of three quarter time to make it a six-point game heading into the last.

The Phoenix continued their charge in the fourth quarter, drawing within one point in seemingly no time at all. Adelaide’s big stars went missing down the stretch, and South East Melbourne was simply making huge shots within the context of the game. Ben Ayre nailed a triple with just over a minute to play to seal the result for the Phoenix, who went on to claim a 10-point win and book a spot in the semi-finals against the Illawarra Hawks.

Hurt was once again the star of the show for South East Melbourne, showing why he was listed to the All-NBL First Team with another magnificent offensive showing. The import forward posted 25 points and nine rebounds on 11/19 shooting from the field. He remains one of the biggest wildcards in the postseason, and could have a massive say on his side’s matchup against the Hawks.

Davis battled hard to keep the Sixers in the contest, and capped off an impressive debut season in the NBL with 26 points, six rebounds and five assists, while Harrell still posted a double-double despite a quiet second half with 17 points and 14 rebounds.