SOUTH East Melbourne Phoenix have produced a dominant four-quarter effort to help themselves to back-to-back wins in Round 18 of the 2021 National Basketball League (NBL) season. The Phoenix won every quarter to get up 29 points, as the middle two quarters did the bulk of the damage in front of more than 1700 fans at John Cain Arena last night.

The Phoenix held the narrowest of margins at quarter time to lead 21-20, before blowing the game wide open in the second and third terms. They piled on 36 points to 25 in a high-scoring bonanza of a second quarter, before doubling down with an even more impressive 29 points to 14 in the third. Having already sealed the win by being 27 points up at the final break, the Phoenix did not rest on their laurels, also triumphing in the final term to win it 20-18, for a memorable 106-77 victory.

The Phoenix dominated every single statistic on the night, with only the foul count (19-13) going against them. Every other facet they won, from the field goal shooting percentage (54 to 45 per cent) to the rebounding (42-28) and assist count (21-10). They also had more points in the paint (54-38), second chance points (27-7) and a massive discrepancy in points from turnovers (15-2), as well as an additional steal (6-5) and block (2-1). Aside from a brief period where the Taipans led early in the second term, the Phoenix took control from late in the second term and never looked back to get it well past a 30-point margin before ending at the 29-point final deficit.

Mitch Creek led the scoring with 20 points, three assist sand two rebounds, whilst it was the double-double effort of Yannick Wetzell (12 points, 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists) that really stood out. Keifer Sykes nailed 16 points, four assists and two rebounds, with Reuben Te Rangi yet another starter to reach double-figure points thanks to 14 points, six rebounds and two assists. Off the bench, Cameron Gliddon scored 12 points, three rebounds and two steals, while Ben Moore helped himself to the 12 points and six rebounds. It was a huge effort off the bench with Ryan Broekhoff (nine points, two rebounds and two assists) and Kyle Adnam (seven points, two assists) also adding some good points off limited minutes.

For the Taipans, Mirko Djeric was the clear standout shooter off the bench, dropping 17 points in 25 minutes, including three of five from long-range, and three assists. Nathan Jawai (10 points) was the only other double-digit scorer in a dirty night for the Taipans who missed the impact of Cameron Oliver. Scott Machado (nine points, two rebounds and two steals), Majok Deng (nine points, three rebounds) and Jordan Ngatai (eight points, two rebounds) all tried hard but to no avail.

The Phoenix have built some form just in time for a massive clash with cross-town rivals Melbourne United tomorrow afternoon at John Cain Arena, whilst the Taipans will lick their wounds and head home before an equally tough challenge hosting reigning premiers Perth Wildcats at Cairns Pop Up Arena on Monday night.