Sixers Find a Hero to Stop United's Streak

Adelaide 36ers needed a spark and Dusty Hannahs provided it firing his side to the upset 88-83 overtime win over the league-leading Melbourne United at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Sunday.

Hannahs hit the game-tying three with 13.5 seconds left which forced overtime before nailing several key baskets scoring 11 of his 19 points in the final seconds and overtime as his club ended United’s eight-game winning streak.

With United leading the league and coming into the game having won eight straight, including by 19 in Adelaide eight days ago, the Sixers had to find a way to bounce back from three tough losses, and they were on top most of the way.

Todd Withers had his best game for the Sixers to spark them to the first half lead on perfect shooting and this was a more disciplined and focused Adelaide team.

However, they still had to do it the hard way after leading by eight to start the final quarter only to have Melbourne centre Jo Lual-Acuil turn on one of the best games of his NBL career. 

He scored 13 of his 23 points in the fourth quarter and overtime while adding 12 rebounds and two blocks.

Melbourne had come from being behind all game to suddenly lead 74-70 with a minute to go when Shea Ili drained the three to cap a run of 10 consecutive points.

Adelaide coach CJ Bruton then went to Hannahs off the bench and it proved the game-changing move. He knocked down the critical three to force overtime, then took over in the extra period on his way to the 19 points in just 19 minutes. 

Cam Bairstow continued his strong form with 16 points and 12 rebounds for Adelaide while Withers had 12 of his 17 points in the first half.

Kai Sotto continued his growth with 12 points and four rebounds including a clinching mid-range jumper late in the piece while Daniel Johnson had 12 points and 12 rebounds.

Bruton said Hannahs had kept faith in his shooting skills and was ready when called on for the last play and overtime.

"He needs some time to find his groove and there's certain things that we've been trying to work to work through as a group to give him opportunities to go do his thing," Bruton said.

"He has kept his confidence and faith and when I called his number that last time out, he was good to go and we put the ball in his hands and you will get to see what he's capable of. With 19 points in 19 minutes, he’s put everyone on notice."

On top of Lual-Acuil's 23 points and 12 rebounds, Jack White also fired for Melbourne with 18 points, 11 rebounds and two steals. 

Mason Peatling chimed in with 11 points but it was a rough night for captain Chris Goulding with four points on 0/14 shooting and 0/9 deep with the team going 4/30 from beyond the arc.

United coach Dean Vickerman said his side was showing signs of fatigue after playing a league-high 11 games up to Sunday.

"We've been on a long road stretch," Vickerman said.

"There was some tired decision-making that we made in the first half and their execution was much better than us down the stretch."

Goulding said his side might need the loss to make it address some shortcomings.

"We're not saying don't give us road games as we were out there winning games and the way we played our last couple of games, things were starting to slip a little bit,” Goulding said post-game.

"It's on us. When you keep sort of squeaking your way out of there with a win, sometimes it's hard to change those habits or the things that have gone wrong. So maybe this is the slap in the face we needed to really get back to playing the basketball we want to play."

Melbourne had a slim lead at the quarter-time break but it was all Adelaide in the second quarter as Todd Withers continued firing and Melbourne’s boxouts escaped them as the home side continually hit the offensive glass and behind 12 points from Withers took a 38-30 lead into half-time.

Jack White was tireless for Melbourne to start the third term putting on multiple baskets as his side closed to within reach of the lead but Cam Bairstow, Kai Sotto and Daniel Johnson all had their moments as their side took a 59-51 lead into the last term.

Sotto’s alley-oop reverse dunk was a highlight for the Sixers while Melbourne couldn’t find a way to get captain Chris Goulding going with the bronze medallist still unable to make shot.

United looked well-placed with 30 seconds to play and a 74-70 lead but the Sixers made a free-throw and then won the ball back setting up Dusty Hannahs to shoot a three from the left corner when he nailed to tie it at 74-74 with 13.5 seconds to play.

Melbourne would fail to score and Hannahs would take charge in overtime while Sotto put the icing on the cake with a pull-up jumper in the final minute.

The Sixers host Brisbane Bullets at Adelaide Entertainment Centre on Thursday while United host Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena in their long-awaited home return on Sunday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 9

ADELAIDE 36ERS 88 (Hannahs 19, Withers 17, Bairstow 16)

MELBOURNE UNITED 83 (Lual-Acuil 23, White 18, Peatling 11) 

BOX SCORE