Isaac
Years ago
Funny Adelaide heat from outside sinks Hunter
The Adelaide 36ERS last night shook off a week of turmoil pertaining to its parent association and an energy-sapping heatwave to burn the visiting Hunter Pirates, 111-91.
Their revenge came on the back of the team's superb form from outside the arc, the side connecting on 55% of triples in the sweltering Distinctive Homes Dome.
Captain Brett Maher, playing in his 450th NBL game and returning from an injury-related DNP the week before, was brilliant, leading all scorers with 31 points which included hitting six of eight from the deep.
The Sixers show cast also featured Willie Farley's 21 points at 67% and back-up shooting guard Brad Hill stepping off the bench for 16 points of his own; it was only appropriate that the best crowd of the season (6,149) arrived despite the sauna-like conditions to watch the team's final home game before the finals commence.
For the visiting side, Russell Hinder was professional, quietly amassing 24 points and 17 rebounds, and Geordie Cullen got to the line consistently to aid his total of 21 points, but the Pirates could not match Adelaide's firepower.
Even at half-time, the signs were ominous as Adelaide proceeded smoothly, shooting at 53% (67% 3PT) from the field to Hunter's poor 28%.
Hunter had stayed in touch for much of the opening quarter before Adelaide closed with a run of 10 unanswered points. Farley, Maher and Oscar Forman (8 points for the term on his way to 14 points) beat the Pirates from outside and gave the home side a ten-point buffer at the first break.
Hinder and Cullen had some luck in the second quarter, but for the most part Hunter were luckless from the field, managing only 15 points in total. Adelaide remained a step above, drawing scores from 8 players to win the period 24-15.
Highlights for the quarter were Hill's dunk on the break and a nice triple, as well as a passage in which Maher was knocked to the ground on offense with no foul called, picked himself up, camped in the corner to await the feed from Farley, and then buried a triple.
At half-time, Adelaide enjoyed a commanding 54-35 lead.
After the long break, however, the Pirates righted their ship and doubled their efforts. Hinder and Cullen combined for 25 points in the second half, overrunning two of Adelaide's starters in David Cooper (0-5 FG) and Jacob Holmes (1-8 FG, but 9 rebounds and a team-high 6 assists).
For every Hunter attack, Adelaide had a smooth reply. Maher was inspirational in the second half with 21 points and, at one point, Forman had hit all four of his three-point attempts.
The final quarter saw Dusty Rychart advance his quiet total and the forward finished with a diligent double-double - 14 points (75% FG) and a team-high 10 rebounds, as well as 4 assists.
Hunter had some success with the injection of giant Jason Eversteyn for quick boards and points in the paint, but there was no chance of the Pirates winning this one at the Dome.
The Sixers home by 20 points, 111-91, despite giving up more shots, more free throws, more boards and having 19 turnovers in the hot conditions. Their 51%-36% from the field was just too strong an advantage.
With the win, Adelaide gain their 19th of the season and are two games clear in third spot on the NBL ladder. Their remaining three games for the regular season are on the road in Queensland. The Pirates will see play-off action regardless of the result, holding eighth position.
Adelaide 36ers 111 (Maher 31, Farley 21, Hill 15, Rychart 14, Forman 14)
Hunter Pirates 91 (Hinder 24, Cullen 21, Helms 16, Trahair 11)
