FILE – Adelaide 36ers center Kai Sotto. Photo from Adelaide 36ers
MANILA, Philippines—Kai Sotto played his best game yet, helping Adelaide douse a red-hot Melbourne side, 88-83, in overtime in the Australia National Basketball League Sunday at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
Sotto scored 12 points for the third straight time, capping off his solid performance with the game-clinching jumper that gave the 36ers five-point cushion with only 33 seconds left in OT.
S(𝗞𝗔𝗜) HIGH! ✈️
📺 – @10PeachAu + @kayosports pic.twitter.com/2HQlTsCCOn
— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) January 30, 2022
Klutch Kai.
📺 – @10PeachAu + @kayosports pic.twitter.com/r60WnfbvXB
— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) January 30, 2022
*watches on repeat* 🎥#WeAreSixers pic.twitter.com/EQgLSzix3C
— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) January 30, 2022
The 19-year-old Filipino center also grabbed four rebounds and went 4-of-7 from the field and 4-of-5 from the free throw line in a season-high 21 minutes.
He is now averaging 8.6 points and 4.4 rebounds in five games for the Sixers.
Guard Dusty Hannahs also came through in the clutch for Adelaide, which halted a three-game skid. Hannahs hit a corner triple to tie the game at 74 with 13 ticks remaining, paving the way for extra time.
DUST IN THE W̶I̶N̶D̶ WIN. pic.twitter.com/r0JrJEjCna
— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) January 30, 2022
Hannahs finished with a team-high 19 points, including 11 in the fourth quarter and overtime.
The thrilling win put Adelaide in seventh place with a 4-6 record while Melbourne had its eight-game winning streak snapped as it slid to second at 8-3.