WWAG NBL24 Match Recap - Round 11 v SEM Phoenix

Buoyed by the United fans that filled the Phoenix’s home court, Melbourne got off to a perfect start, as Chris Goulding sliced through to the hoop for an easy score on the opening play.

Buckets from Luke Travers and Matthew Dellavedova quickly followed before CG43 splashed home his first triple of the game.

It appeared as though United had forgotten how to miss for much of the first 10 minutes, even as they turned to their bench.

Kyle Bowen came in and had an immediate impact, scoring nine points and coming away with three steals while Ariel Hukporti skied high for a huge alley-oop slam.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr then made his presence felt, bullying his way inside for a pair of post scores to put Melbourne up by 17 at the break.

It was more of the same to start the second, as JLA muscled through the contact for a finish plus the foul.

After scoring just two points in the opening term, Ian Clark started to heat up, scoring eight points in quick succession as Melbourne pulled ahead by as many as 25 points.

While United continued to score with ease through the likes of Travers, Goulding and Flynn Cameron, the Phoenix were able to make a run, limiting Melbourne’s ability to pull away.

Lual-Acuil Jr quickly put a stop to this, sending away shots on back-to-back possessions to quiet the SEM crowd.

This, combined with a triple from Clark to beat the half-time buzzer, saw Melbourne take a 20-point advantage into the major break.

While United took all the momentum into the third period, their scoring dried up completely to start the quarter.

Melbourne managed just two points through the first six minutes, as the Phoenix started to mount their comeback.

Shea Ili ended the drought, scoring five quick points before Ariel Hukporti slammed home the dunk of the season, catching an alley-oop from Tanner Krebs and putting Mitch Creek on a poster.

A number of late scores from SEM did allow the home side to close the gap to just 13 points heading into the final 10 minutes.

Needing to close the game with strength, United looked to their captain.

First, CG43 cooked Alan Williams on the perimeter for the three plus the foul before coming off a screen on the following possession for another triple.

With Goulding getting it done outside, JLA went to work on the post, scoring on three straight possessions, two of which he was fouled on.

Lual-Acuil Jr’s impact was immense on both ends, with the big-man swatting seven shots, the highest of any player thus far this season.

With the game nearly over, United’s bench provided some more highlights, including a Krebs three, a Hukporti floater, and a Kyle Bowen bucket plus the foul.

Ultimately, MU finished with a 28-point victory, the largest ever in the history of the Throwdown.

The victory is Melbourne’s third straight win over the Phoenix and improves their overall Throwdown record to 16-7.

United will next face the Adelaide 36ers at John Cain Arena on Saturday evening from 8pm.

Tickets are selling fast, so get in quick and secure your seat here.