Joe double blow stops Adelaide comeback

• Phoenix swingman Nathan Sobey drops game-high 26 points
• Teammate Matt Hurt has 18 points and 10 rebounds
• Phoenix cement top 6 NBL25 finish

Joe Wieskamp came up big in the clutch, coming up with a block and game-sealing layup to push South East Melbourne Phoenix into fourth place on the NBL25 ladder with one game remaining in the regular season.

Phoenix held off a furious Adelaide 36ers comeback to secure a crucial 105-99 victory (Game Centre) at John Cain Arena on Sunday, February 2, 2025.

"We made it way too difficult for ourselves. I thought for the most part we dominated the game," Phoenix coach Josh King said.

"It was too close for comfort and probably shouldn't have been that close.

"Hopefully we can not let this happen again. Hopefully tonight we learned our lesson."

The Phoenix appeared to be cruising to an easy win, building a commanding 23-point lead early in the third quarter on the back of Owen Foxwell's sharp shooting and a dominant effort on the offensive glass.

However, the 36ers roared to life behind the inspired play of Montrezl Harrell, unleashing a spectacular 19-0 run to erase the deficit and set up a tense final frame.

Adelaide briefly took the lead in the fourth quarter, but South East Melbourne steadied themselves down the stretch. With the game hanging in the balance, Wieskamp rose to the occasion. The American swingman emphatically rejected Lat Mayen's potential go-ahead drive before racing down court to finish a crucial layup with 11 seconds remaining, sealing the victory for the Phoenix.

The win was vital for South East Melbourne's playoff positioning, as they leapfrogged the Sydney Kings into fourth place with a 16-12 record.

Meanwhile, the loss officially eliminated Adelaide from top-five contention, leaving them in sixth at 13-15 with one game to play.

While the final score was close, the statistical dominance of the Phoenix for large portions of the game was stark.

South East Melbourne held a 20-5 advantage in free throw attempts at halftime and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds to Adelaide's zero in the first two quarters. The 36ers' second-half surge was fuelled by a renewed effort on the offensive glass, as they collected eight offensive boards after the break.

Owen Foxwell was the standout performer for the Phoenix, pouring in 22 points in just 25 minutes of action. The young guard's efficient scoring provided a steady hand for South East Melbourne's offence throughout the contest. Nathan Sobey also came up big with a game-high 26 points and eight assists, while Matt Hurt contributed a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds.

For Adelaide, Montrezl Harrell was a force of nature in the second half, finishing with 25 points and 11 rebounds. His energy and physicality on the interior sparked the 36ers' comeback and nearly carried them to an improbable victory. Kendric Davis added 23 points and 7 assists in defeat.

Both teams now turn their attention to the final round of the regular season with playoff implications on the line.

The Phoenix face local rivals Melbourne United in a high-stakes "Throwdown" on Saturday night, while Adelaide travels to Perth to take on the third-placed Wildcats.

With the potential for these two sides to meet again in a Play-In Game, the stage is set for a dramatic conclusion to the NBL25 regular season.