IN A clear display of just how wide open the race for the 2025/26 National Basketball League (NBL) is heading into the last month of play, the SEM Phoenix recorded a 20-point win over the ladder-leading Adelaide 36ers.

In a huge battle on Saturday afternoon, the Sixers welcomed the Phoenix to the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for a battle with huge top-two ramifications. Adelaide sits atop the standings having been the best team for a large portion of the season, but the Phoenix have been in terrific of late, and got the job done against the Sixers last time they clashed.

South East Melbourne continued to have its way against the top-of-the-table Sixers, proving far too good for Adelaide in South Australia on Saturday, making a statement for their championship aspirations with a huge win over the title fancies.

Adelaide 36ers (77) def. by South East Melbourne Phoenix (97)

The Phoenix were dominant in their second win in two weeks over the Sixers to continue to have the wood over the ladder-leaders at the pointy end of the season and stake their own claim as championship favourites.

It was a result built on rebounding, with much of the Phoenix’s success coming from their work on the glass. In the first half, the visitors were able to generate plenty of extra possessions thanks to their offensive rebounding performance. South East Melbourne pulled down 21 offensive boards in the first 20 minutes of play and 23 for the game.

This allowed the Phoenix to have much more offensive opportunity than their opponents, shooting the ball 19 more times and generating a lot of second chance scoring opportunities. Although Adelaide put an emphasis on boxing out in the second half, the damage was already done by the main break with South East Melbourne in front.

Adelaide only came as close as nine points in the final frame after Bryce Cotton fought hard to overcome some tough defensive covers, before the Phoenix put the foot down in the closing minutes, showing why they are one of the best offensive teams in the NBL and are as dangerous as anyone come finals time in a month’s time.

Often the unheralded hero for the Phoenix in their championship pursuit this season, import John Brown III was the star of the show for South East Melbourne, and set the tone with his hard-fought ways in the paint. He embodied the Phoenix in the win over Adelaide, posting 14 points and most impressively pulling down nine offensive rebounds (13 overall) and dishing out five assists in a tireless display that was vital in the result.

On the scoring side, there were a surplus of contributors for the Phoenix in the win, showing that unlike the start of the season, they do not rely on one player to hit the scoreboard. Brown III, Nathan Sobey (19 points), Owen Foxwell (16 points), Jordan Hunter (13 points), Ian Clark (12 points) and Next Star Malique Lewis (11 points) all chimed in for a balanced showing.

Cotton tried to get his team over the line with 26 points, but it was on low efficiency, making just seven of his 21 attempts, while Flynn Cameron was also admirable in defeat with 21 points on 8/14 shooting from the field.