Huge night for Creek, massive win for Phoenix

South East Melbourne Phoenix were undermanned but undeterred as Mitch Creek ensured they worked their way to a 97-92 overtime win over Melbourne United at the NBL Cup.

It capped a spectacular Wednesday night at John Cain Arena to open the last week at the NBL and with New Zealand earlier beating Cairns on a Tom Abercrombie buzzer-beater, the Melbourne Throwdown delivered the first overtime encounter at the tournament within a season.

The Phoenix had just six rostered players available and nine players overall but Mitch Creek put on a season-high 31 points while grabbing 10 rebounds in 42 minutes to steer his side to a stirring win despite being a frustrated man at the end of regular when a foul call didn’t go his way.

It's a win also that comes with star signing Ryan Broekhoff appearing ready to make his debut for the club on Friday night against the Cairns Taipans.

Making the win all the more remarkable for South East Melbourne was the players they were missing. It would be quite the impressive starting five to put Broekhoff out there with Keifer Sykes, Adam Gibson, Kendall Stephens and Dane Pineau, but all were in street clothes.

Along with Creek's huge game, Kyle Adnam had another 18 points and eight assists with Reuben Te Rangi adding 12 points and nine rebounds, and Ben Moore 10 points, eight boards and two blocks.

Phoenix coach Simon Mitchell paid tribute to his guards for holding up during big minutes while he said Creek and Te Rangi had possibly played their best games in the NBL.

"I thought that was Mitch and Reubs were exceptional, it was possibly their best games in the NBL," Mitchell said.

"I think that was Mitch’s best game with us anyway. He really put everyone on his back down the stretch in the important moments and made all the plays and right decisions. It was quiet heroic of him."

Creek said he told his players before the tip-off that they should embrace the challenge.

"What more do you want in life and sport?" Creek said.

"When everything is stacked against you, you want to silence the critics and those who say you should lose this one because you have a lot of guys out.

"Tonight was an example game for us. We can do it and we are good enough. We have to do it more often now and I wanted to lead by example."

But beating Melbourne still takes some doing and while United trailed for much of the night, Jock Landale and Chris Goulding still led their side with 22 points each.

Mitch McCarron also had 12 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two steals for Melbourne with Jo Lual-Acuil adding 10 points, nine boards and three blocks.

United coach Dean Vickerman said he was disappointed his side had likely missed out on any chance of winning the NBL Cup considering several sides still had two games to go when they only have one left.

"We talked about this being a semi-final for us tonight so we could have a chance of winning this tournament," Vickerman said.

"We lost the game but we have got to give ourselves an opportunity to walk into that last game and have an opportunity to win the tournament. That’s what I’m most disappointed about tonight.

"It’s a challenge right now [rotating players]. Shea and Chris are both limited in what they can do for us right now but that’s an opportunity for others.

"We want to make sure Shea and Chris come back the right way, we don’t want to see any more injuries."

Creek saw his potential game-winning shot blocked in the last play by Ben Moore before overtime but he kept on fighting in the extra period coming up with some big plays before Reuben Te Rangi offered some vital late points to see them to the win.

The Phoenix will take five NBL Cup points from the game with United taking two points.

The Phoenix went in undermanned but they played with vigour and dare as Kyle Adnam led an early breakaway which saw his side up 29-24 at quarter-time.

The second term saw the United regain some ground both at the defensive end and on offence but Adnam, Creek and others stepped up to see the Phoenix lead 50-42 at half-time.

Japanese star Yudai Baba gave United a huge boost in the third term as did Jock Landale but the Phoenix had their nerve and relied on some vital contributions from Creek and their lesser known players like centre Mike Karena and development guard Izayah Mauriohooho-Le Afa to hold a 70-65 lead heading into the last term.

United did take an NBL Cup point for winning the third quarter 21-20 with Jo Lual-Acuil blocking Karena just before the buzzer.

Mitch Creek came up big to start the last term nailing a three to keep his side ahead but Shea Ili came up with some key baskets to bring his side back into the game and Dave Barlow tied scores at 75-75 with five minutes to go.

In the final minute, Adnam’s three tied scores at 84-84 and with the final play of regulation time Creek drove at the basket but was blocked by Lual-Acuil forcing overtime.

Landale dunked early in overtime then Creek came up with some key baskets before Reuben Te Rangi found room for two pivotal lay-ups as Phoenix held on for the win.

The Phoenix have two NBL Cup games to go against Cairns on Friday and New Zealand on Sunday while United finish off against the Illawarra Hawks on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 9

NBL CUP WEEK 4

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 97 (Creek 31, Adnam 18, Te Rangi 12)

MELBOURNE UNITED 92 (Goulding 22, Landale 22, McCarron 12) 

POINTS AWARDED – South East Melbourne Phoenix 5, Melbourne United 2

BOX SCORE