A CLINICAL performance on the offensive end from Mitch Creek has lifted the SEM Phoenix to a one-point victory against the Brisbane Bullets at John Cain Arena on Saturday night.

With the Bullets desperate to get on the board for season 2022/23, the Phoenix had to hold off a gutsy Brisbane outfit, delivering a strong second half performance and taking the lead in the final minute of the game and defending well in the dying stages.

While there were a number of factors that contributed to the result, in terms of individual performances, none were more impactful than Creek’s. One of the most consistent scorers the league has to offer, the forward was at his best against a scrambling and unprepared Brisbane defence, on his way to a game-high points total.

Mitch Creek vs. Bullets – 31 points (10/17 FG), seven rebounds, three assists

On a night where his side did not produce the most accurate of shooting, Creek was a reliable scoring avenue, making over half of his attempts from the field, and constantly tormenting the Bullets’ defenders with his shot-making ability.

Creek started the game like a house on fire, making South East Melbourne’s opening bucket of the game and converting the and-one after he fought through the contact to still find the bottom of the net. The Bullets did a reasonable job of denying him the ball for the majority of the opening term, but he still made his way to six first-quarter points.

Facing some tight defence, Creek spent the opening half of the second term distributing the ball and crashing the boards on both ends of the floor. Creek got back in on the scoring action with a strong lay-up thanks to a nice dime from Gary Browne. He was also able to draw plenty of contact from the Brisbane defence, with the Bullets struggling to defend in a legal manner. He fought inside the paint for another and-one late in the term, keeping his side in the game after the Bullets took the lead.

Creek was the catalyst for a third-quarter fightback, seemingly involved in everything as the Phoenix got back in the contest. In the first 100 seconds of the third term, he had eight points, an assist and a steal as he finally began to get off the chain. He continued to attack the Brisbane defence from two-point territory, whether it was a lay-up or a mid-range jumper, and suddenly, it was game on.

When the likes of Browne and Alan Williams got involved for the Phoenix to start the fourth, Creek flew under the radar a bit, and was able to sneak inside for a pair of baskets to start the final term. To top it all off, he nailed some clutch free throws to hold off the Bullets and help seal South East Melbourne’s third win of the season.

Anyone who follows the NBL knows of Creek’s scoring capability, and those who may have forgot were reminded on Saturday evening.