Isaac
Years ago
Funny Sixers weather Pirates storm at home
Willie Farley offloaded 30 points, including 15 in the second quarter and a perfect 10 of 10 from the charity stripe, as the Adelaide 36ERS edged out the Hunter Pirates, 104-93.
Going into the final quarter with the scores tied at 80 apiece, the ragged Pirates ran out of steam after three games in less than a week and some tough flight schedules. Farley scored 30 and added 5 rebounds and 3 assists, while Adelaide's other import, Dusty Rychart, managed 23 points and a game-high 15 rebounds.
It was the Hunter side, though, who had the better of Adelaide for much of the game after a 31-23 opening quarter on the back of Geordie Cullen's 10 points. The Sixers struggled at both ends against the Pirates' forward line, picking up a number of fouls. Scores to 8 home side players greatly assisted Adelaide's chances but the lead wasn't drawn in until much later in the game.
The second quarter was a story of the NBL's leading scorers going head to head as visiting Brian Wethers posted 16 points to Farley's 15, the former racking up 11 boards and 5 assists, but failing to score in the last term. It was Farley at the top of his game that kept Adelaide in it, making superb drives to the basket as well as flashy isolation plays. His 21 individual points at the main break had him leading all scorers, while Brett Maher (6 points) and Rychart (9) were having less of an impact.
At the half-time break, the Sixers were down by only 4 points having given up the rebounding advantage 21-31, but holding steady from the field with 46% to the Pirates' 47%.
Rychart was the energiser in the third adding 6 quick points while Holmes had 4 points of his own, but the woeful performance on the boards continued as the visitors simply outmuscled their opponents. The chance to steal the lead came with Farley's 2/2 free throws to have scores at 69-68, and Cooper maintained the margin with a score following a missed opportunity and offensive rebound. His 6 offensive rebounds and Rychart's 7 were vital in regaining the lead, before a giant three point basket on the third quarter buzzer from Wethers tied things up at 80-80.
The fourth showed a rebounding fightback from Adelaide with many solidly contested boards. A clutch Maher three pointer at the death of one Sixer shot-clock made it 90-86 before a follow-up three from Oscar Forman made the margin seven on the next play.
A block from Cooper on a Hunter offense, and then two more from Adelaide on subsequent defensive plays gave a glimpse of the final quarter form that would prevail before Rychart's lob to Farley for the easy alley-oop dunk made the margin double figures and sealed the win.
The eleven point victory was not necessarily flattering for a tired Pirates team showing strong improvement on their 2003/04 season. For the visitors, Wethers led with 23, Franklin persisted for 19 points on 50% shooting, and Cullen faded after his early points to finish with 18.
For the home team, Farley was undoubtedly the difference, perfect with his free throws and shooting at 52% from the field. Rychart's performance was also vital while Maher endured an off-night with his shooting (5-15) but had 8 assists to a single turnover. Holmes and Forman, each with 11 points and 4 rebounds, rounded out the Adelaide scorers in double figures. David Cooper went 2 of 11 from the field, but had 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 2 blocks with his 6 points, while Paul Rees had 7 rebounds.
Sixers 104, Pirates 93.
Boards: 48-57
Fouls: 14-25
FG: 42% - 40%
3P: 33% - 27%
FT: 76% - 76%
Boxscore
