The Adelaide 36ers huddle up during a game in the National Basketball League in Australia. Adelaide 36ers Photo
MANILA, Philippines—Adelaide and Kai Sotto got back on the winning track after fending off Cairns, 82-71, in the National Basketball League Sunday at Adelaide Entertainment Center.
The 36ers held their fort in the latter part of the contest as they never relinquished their lead the whole second half which was a far cry from their dreadful start when they trailed 23-9 at the end of the first quarter.
A relentless fourth quarter saw Adelaide take a 15-point lead, 71-56, after Tad Dufelmeier converted on a layup with 4:19 to play.
https://twitter.com/Adelaide36ers/status/1495262486836047872?s=20&t=Ijhww9klaTOcX0Ns0mqAZA
The win saw the 36ers improve to 5-7 to stay in the seventh spot of the standings while the Taipans remained at the bottom at 3-8.
Daniel Johnson led the 36ers with 18 points, nine rebounds, and three blocks while Mitch Mccarron filled the stat sheets with 14 points, seven rebounds, five assists, and six steals.
Mitch puts it up.
Kai throws it down.📺 – @10PeachAu + @kayosports pic.twitter.com/1ABH1ueTj5
— Adelaide 36ers (@Adelaide36ers) February 20, 2022
Sunday Dech and Dusty Hannahs also finished in double digits for Adelaide with 13 and 10 points, respectively, while Sotto added five points, six rebounds, and three blocks despite playing only 13 minutes off the bench.
Stephen Zimmerman had 21 points, 13 rebounds, and two steals to lead Cairn.