Match Recap: NBL23 Round 7 Game 1 vs Adelaide 36ers

Written by Melbourne United Media 

Melbourne United have fallen just short against the Adelaide 36ers at home on Thursday evening.

After starting the game perfectly with a Chris Goulding layup, Adelaide went on a run, scoring the next 14 points before David Barlow eventually haulted their momentum.

United’s bench was crucial throughout the first term, as Barlow, along with Brad Newley, Lachie Barker and the returning Mason Peatling all finding the bottom of the net to keep the home side afloat.

Buoyed by 13 bench points, as well as a buzzer-beating jumper from Xavier Rathan-Mayes, Melbourne clawed their way back into the game, reducing the 36ers lead to just five at the end of the term.

It was a much better start to the second period, with United orchestrating their own 8-0 run on the back of a pair of XRM threes.

After scorching the nets from deep, Melbourne changed up their game plan, attacking the hoop and living up to the dunk city moniker.

Rayjon Tucker rose up after a nice baseline cut before Isaac Humphries slammed home a pair of powerful jams.

Following this, United went back outside, sinking four triples in four possessions to briefly take the lead before Adelaide hit back.

The 36ers took back the lead but weren’t able to extend it any further than a point, as David Okwera emphatically rejected Daniel Johnson to lead into the major break.

Mirroring the first term, United were slow out of the gate in the third quarter, going scoreless for three minutes and giving up a 10-0 run to Adelaide.

The visitors momentum was finally broken by a terrific play from Isaac Humphries, who took the ball coast-to-coast before finding Mason Peatling for an and-1 bucket.

Just when it seemed Melbourne were finding some momentum, Chris Goulding took a nasty knock, sending him to the locker room.

Despite this, United held tough, reducing a 15-point deficit to 10 leading into the final period.

Needing a spark, Rayjon Tucker answered the call.

The dynamic import produced big-time plays at both ends of the court, sinking threes, getting to the hoop and playing hard-nosed defence.

Tucker finished with 13 fourth-quarter points, helping United get within a point of the 36ers with less than a minute remaining.

Unfortunately for Melbourne, the home side just couldn’t get over the line, eventually going down 86-91.

United will have a chance to bounce back quickly against the SEM Phoenix in Throwdown XVIII, delivered by DoorDash on Saturday from 5:30pm.

Fans can tune in live on ESPN via Kayo.