NBL Round 11 (Regular Season): Melbourne Utd lose to Sydney

Here is the last round review presented by Job Market.

Top ranked United (9-2) recorded its second loss in Melbourne on Monday night. Hosts were edged by sixth ranked Kings (5-5) 95-92. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) who scored 34 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. The former international forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) chipped in 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Tyson Walker (185-2000, college: Michigan St.) produced 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) for the hosts. United's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sydney moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Perth. Melbourne Utd at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Sydney will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Melbourne Utd's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Melbourne to the arena SE Melbourne.
Tenth-ranked Hawks (3-6) made lots of trouble for second ranked Adelaide 36ers (7-2) in Findon. Adelaide 36ers managed to secure only two-point victory 90-88. However their fans expected much easier game. American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 24 points and 9 assists. Zylan Cheatham contributed with 13 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. International guard William Hickey (194-1999) answered with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 blocks for Illawarra H.Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Adelaide maintains second place with 7-2 record having 2 victories less than leader Melbourne Utd, which they share with SE Melbourne. Illawarra H. at the other side dropped to the eighth position with six games lost. Adelaide will play against bottom-ranked NZL Breakers (#10) in Auckland in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Illawarra H. will play on the road against Cairns and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Very important is a road loss of first ranked United (9-2) against tenth ranked Hawks (3-6) on Wednesday night. Visiting United was defeated by Hawks in Wollongong 107-93. It was a great evening for Javale McGee who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds. Milton Doyle responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 assists. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Illawarra H. moved-up to eighth place. Loser United still keeps top position with two games lost. Illawarra H. will meet Cairns (#9) on the road in the next round. Melbourne Utd's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Melbourne to the arena SE Melbourne.

In the last game of round 11 Perth was defeated by SE Melbourne in a road game 94-89.



SE Melbourne - Perth 94-89

The game between closely ranked teams ended with 4th placed Wildcats' (5-5) road loss to third ranked Phoenix (7-2) 89-94 on Sunday. SE Melbourne made 19-of-23 free shots (82.6 percent) during the game. They also forced 20 Perth turnovers. SE Melbourne looked well-organized offensively handing out 26 assists. It was a great evening for the former international guard Nathan Sobey (190-1990, college: Wyoming) who led his team to a victory scoring 22 points and 5 rebounds. The former international guard Owen Foxwell (188-2003) helped adding 20 points and 5 assists. American forward Kristian Doolittle (201-1997, college: Oklahoma, agency: Pensack Sports) responded with a double-double by scoring 19 points, 13 rebounds and 6 assists and guard Jaron Rillie (190, college: N.Colorado, agency: Octagon Europe) scored 16 points, 5 rebounds and 7 assists. Both teams had four players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players in such tough game. Phoenix have an impressive series of five victories in a row. SE Melbourne moved-up to second place, which they share with Adelaide. Loser Wildcats keeps the fourth position with five games lost. They share it with Sydney. SE Melbourne's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will face at home their local rival from Melbourne Melbourne Utd.
Top scorers:
SE Melbourne: S.Nathan 22+5reb+1ast, F.Owen 20+3reb+5ast, B.John 12+8reb, G.Angus 12+1reb+3ast, I.Wes 9+3reb+2ast, H.Jordan 7+3reb+2ast
Perth: K.Doolittle 19+13reb+6ast, J.Rillie 16+5reb+7ast, D.Windler 15+5reb+1ast, J.Lual-Acuil 13+1reb+2ast, D.Duke Jr. 8, B.Henshall 8+1ast

Adelaide - Illawarra H. 90-88

Tenth-ranked Hawks (3-6) made lots of trouble for second ranked Adelaide 36ers (7-2) in Findon. Adelaide 36ers managed to secure only two-point victory 90-88. However their fans expected much easier game. Adelaide players were unselfish on offense dishing 23 assists. American guard Bryce Cotton (182-1992, college: Providence, agency: Pensack Sports) orchestrated the victory by scoring 24 points and 9 assists. His fellow American import forward Zylan Cheatham (203-1995, college: Arizona St.) contributed with a double-double by scoring 13 points, 13 rebounds and 4 assists for the winners. International guard William Hickey (194-1999) answered with 20 points, 9 rebounds, 8 assists and 4 blocks and American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) added 17 points, 11 rebounds and 6 assists in the effort for Illawarra H.Both teams had five players each who scored in double figures. Both coaches used bench players in such tough game. Adelaide maintains second place with 7-2 record having 2 victories less than leader Melbourne Utd, which they share with SE Melbourne. Illawarra H. at the other side dropped to the eighth position with six games lost. Adelaide will play against bottom-ranked NZL Breakers (#10) in Auckland in the next round and are hoping to win another game. Illawarra H. will play on the road against Cairns and it may be a tough game between close rivals.
Top scorers:
Adelaide: C.Bryce 24+3reb+9ast, V.Dejan 16+3reb+3ast, C.Zylan 13+13reb+4ast, C.Flynn 12+4reb+2ast, H.Isaac 12+7reb+1ast, W.Isaac 6+4reb+3ast
Illawarra H.: W.Hickey 20+9reb+8ast, J.McGee 17+11reb+6ast, T.Harvey 15+3reb+3ast, M.Peatling 12+6reb+3ast, T.Blanchfield 10+7reb+4ast, W.Lo Buluk 9

Melbourne Utd - Sydney 92-95

Top ranked United (9-2) recorded its second loss in Melbourne on Monday night. Hosts were edged by sixth ranked Kings (5-5) 95-92. The best player for the winners was American point guard Kendric Davis (183-1999, college: Memphis) who scored 34 points (!!!) and 5 rebounds. The former international forward Xavier Cooks (203-1995, college: Winthrop) chipped in 14 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists. American guard Tyson Walker (185-2000, college: Michigan St.) produced 22 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists (on 9-of-11 shooting from the field) and the other American import Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) added 19 points respectively for the hosts. Four Sydney and five Melbourne Utd players scored in double figures. United's coach rotated ten players in this game, but that didn't help. Sydney moved-up to fourth place, which they share with Perth. Melbourne Utd at the other side still keeps top position with two games lost. Sydney will have a break next round, and it should allow them to practice more before next game. Melbourne Utd's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Melbourne to the arena SE Melbourne.
Top scorers:
Sydney: D.Kendric 34+5reb+3ast, K.Bul 17+6reb+2ast, C.Xavier 14+7reb+4ast, D.Matthew 12+5reb+7ast, N.Kouat 9+2reb+1ast, S.Tim 6+8reb+1ast
Melbourne Utd: T.Walker 22+9reb+5ast, M.Doyle 19+4reb+3ast, F.Delany 14+4reb+1ast, J.Edwards 12+8reb+1ast, C.Goulding 10+1reb+1ast, D.Daniels 9

Illawarra H. - Melbourne Utd 107-93

Very important is a road loss of first ranked United (9-2) against tenth ranked Hawks (3-6) on Wednesday night. Visiting United was defeated by Hawks in Wollongong 107-93. Illawarra H. made 25-of-27 free shots (92.6 percent) during the game, while Melbourne Utd only scored eight points from the stripe. They outrebounded Melbourne Utd 46-34 including a 36-24 advantage in defensive rebounds. Illawarra H. shot the lights out from three sinking 12 long-distance shots on high 54.5 percentage. It was a great evening for American center Javale McGee (213-1988, college: Nevada) who led his team to a victory with a double-double by scoring 37 points (!!!) and 14 rebounds. International guard William Hickey (194-1999) helped adding 18 points, 7 rebounds and 7 assists. American Milton Doyle (193-1993, college: Loyola, IL) responded with a double-double by scoring 16 points and 11 assists and New Zealand-Irish Finn Delany (200-1995, college: SW Baptist) scored 21 points. Five Illawarra H. and four Melbourne Utd players scored in double figures. Both coaches tested many bench players which allowed the starters a little rest for the next games. Illawarra H. moved-up to eighth place. Loser United still keeps top position with two games lost. Illawarra H. will meet Cairns (#9) on the road in the next round. Melbourne Utd's supporters look forward to an exciting derby game next round, where their team will travel locally in Melbourne to the arena SE Melbourne.
Top scorers:
Illawarra H.: M.Javale 37+14reb+1ast, H.William 18+7reb+7ast, H.Tyler 17+4reb+2ast, L.Wani 14+4reb, P.QJ 11+7reb+7ast, P.Mason 10+1reb+2ast
Melbourne Utd: F.Delany 21+2reb+3ast, J.Edwards 19+6reb, M.Doyle 16+1reb+11ast, T.Walker 14+5reb+5ast, D.Daniels 9+2reb, C.Goulding 5+2reb+2ast