Dynamic duo shine as 36ers defeat United

Adelaide import pair Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell have starred in the 36ers’ 100-81 victory against Melbourne United at the Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.

In front of the biggest crowd ever of 9588 people. Davis and Harrell both scored a game-high 28 points as Adelaide won every quarter in the 19-point success.

Davis also finished with 11 assists and five rebounds, while Harrell had nine rebounds and three blocks and Lat Mayen was everywhere on the defensive end, limiting the impact of Chris Goulding (18 points) while also producing five points, three steals and three rebounds.

Captain DJ Vasiljevic connected on some huge shots for his 19 points to go with five rebounds, and big man Isaac Humphries set the tone at both ends of the floor with 12 points, five rebounds, three steals and a block.

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Vasiljevic opened the scoring for the home side by swishing a three-pointer, the Davis found Humphries inside for a three-point play to tie the game at 7-7.

A Davis free throw gave Adelaide the lead for the first time as the 36ers went on a 12-0 run to open a 19-10 lead.

Vasiljevic swished another three-pointer as Davis, who had 13 points in opening 10 minutes, finished the quarter with a coast-to-coast three-point play as Adelaide took a 27-17 lead into the first break.

Harrell started the second quarter with a tough three-point play, then Vasiljevic swished a baseline jump shot as the 36ers’ lead grew to 32-17.

Humphries then attacked the basket, scoring on two straight drives, then Harrell went coast-to-coast and free throws for Vasiljevic gave Adelaide a 41-25 lead.

The visitors responded straight away, going on a 9-0 run to cut the 36ers’ lead to 41-34 before two free throws from Jarell Martin.

A hook shot from Humphries, then Mayen swished a three-pointer in transition as Adelaide went on a 7-0 run to get back out to a 48-34 lead.

Harrell then scored five straight points, including a huge three-pointer, as the 36ers took a 55-42 lead into the main interval.

A three-pointer from Vasiljevic, then a tough basket inside from Harrell sparked the crowd to life in the third quarter as the home side extended the lead to 60-45.

Davis again took over the contest, tough defense led to a fadeaway jump shot, then a steal on the next possession before finding Mayen for a layup.

Harrell again brought the crowd to life, with five straight points, before Keanu Rasmussen scored on the fast break on the last play of the third quarter to give the 36ers a 77-62 lead going into the final 10 minutes.

Davis opened the final quarter with a tough jump shot, before getting the free throw line, before Harrell made two from the line and another Davis jump shot made it 84-66.

The visitors cut the margin to 14 points before a Vasiljevic three-pointer and another Davis floater sealed the victory.

Adelaide will be back in action next Friday night, when the 36ers travel to Hobart for a clash against Tasmania JackJumpers at MyState Bank Arena.

ADELAIDE 36ERS 100 (Davis 28, Harrell 28, Vasiljevic 19, Humphries 12) def MELBOURNE UNITED 81 (Goulding 18, Ili 14, Krebs 13, Dellavedova 10) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Crowd: 9588
BOX SCORE