Landale leads Melbourne to another Throwdown win

Melbourne United bounced back in dominant fashion on Saturday night, claiming a big Throwdown win against the South East Melbourne Phoenix at John Cain Arena.

Jock Landale was a monster on both ends of court for United as he took over the game and left the Phoenix reeling.

It was South East Melbourne who got off to the quick start as they took advantage of transition opportunities. Led by Reuben Te Rangi and Izayah Mauriohooho-Le Afa, the Phoenix jumped out to a 15-9 lead halfway through the term.

For Melbourne, Landale kept the scoreboard ticking over, while fellow big man Mason Peatling asserted his authority on the game with a block and key buckets.

When Mauriohooho-Le Afa drained a three-pointer with two minutes left in the quarter, South East Melbourne boasted a 29-20 lead. Shea Ili’s presence was important in the closing stages of the quarter and at the first break, United trailed the Phoenix 31-24.

After allowing South East Melbourne to score 31 points in the first term, Melbourne locked down on the defensive end in the second quarter and it paid dividends as they roared back into the game.

Scotty Hopson was the key as he found his offensive groove with stepback jump shots and aggressive drives to the bucket. When Chris Goulding drained a pair of free throws halfway through the term, Melbourne grabbed the lead, 37-36.

Hopson continued to go to work offensively with a triple, while Landale also got busy again with a monster putback jam. Having held the Phoenix to just nine points in the first eight minutes of the quarter, United boasted a 44-40 lead.

In a hectic final two minutes of the first half, Yudai Baba’s speed caused problems for the Phoenix as he got the foul line on multiple occasions and when David Barlow scored after grabbing an offensive board off a Baba missed free throw in the final seconds, Melbourne’s half-time lead stood at five-point, 52-47.

After a dominant 28-16 quarter, it was Landale (15 points and 7 rebounds) and Hopson (11 points) leading the way for United, while Te Rangi and Mauriohooho-Le Afa (12 points each) were busy for the Phoenix.

Having grabbed the lead in the second quarter, Melbourne – and Landale in particular – wasn’t satisfied and kept the foot on the gas.

Landale was simply too good, scoring nine points in the opening four and half minutes of the second half. His versatility was on full display through that stretch as he scored in a variety of ways; in the post, from the free throw line and beyond the arc.

With Landale having taken over, United boasted a 16-point lead halfway through the quarter.

The onslaught continued as Barlow and Hopson drained triples, meanwhile the Phoenix managed just seven points in the opening eight minutes of the term. At the final break, Melbourne’s lead stood at 20 points, 79-59, with Landale already boasting a double-double of 27 points and 11 rebounds with a quarter to play.

In the final quarter, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. ensured South East Melbourne never got back into the game with some classy buckets and when Goulding hit another triple with just under three minutes remaining in the game, Melbourne led by 22 points, 91-69.

In the final minutes of the game, Australian basketball legend David Andersen – who earlier in the day signed with United for the remainder of the season – checked in for his first minutes of the season.

South East Melbourne scored some late buckets, but Melbourne was in total control down the stretch, running out 93-82 winners.

Landale (season-high 27 points, 11 rebounds and 2 blocks) was on another level, doing as he pleased and tearing South East Melbourne apart. Hopson (15 points and 3 rebounds), Lual-Acuil Jr. (12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks), Goulding (11 points) and Ili (10 points) all contributed strongly for United.

Mauriohooho-Le Afa (19 points and 3 steals) and Te Rangi (17 points) were best for the Phoenix.

Having claimed the Throwdown win, United now owns 22-6 record to remain on top of the NBL ladder. Next up for Melbourne is a trip west to take on Perth in a top of the table clash on Thursday night. Tip off is at 9:30pm.