Kai Sotto’s third quarter explosion was not enough to lift Adelaide past South East Melbourne, falling 91-94 that snapped their two-game winning streak in the 2021-22 National Basketball League season, Friday at John Cain Arena.
Sotto erupted for 10 points in the third quarter, including a booming triple that gave the 36ers a 70-55 lead with 1:51 left.
However, the Phoenix rose in the final frame.
After a Sotto jumper with 2:14 left in the game that gave Adelaide an 89-86 lead, Cameron Gliddon answered right back with a triple on the other end to tie things up.
Izayah Le’afa followed it up with a trey of his own to give Melbourne the lead.
Though Sunday Dech was able to cut the lead down to one with 19 ticks remaining, free throws by Le’afa and misses from deep by Daniel Johnson and Todd Withers dealt heartbreak for the visitors.
Sotto ended up with 16 points on a 50-percent shooting clip with four rebounds.
However, Adelaide dropped to 9-18 in the standings while SE Melbourne rose to 14-13.
Gliddon led the Phoenix with 24 points built on six treys, while Brandon Ashley notched a double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
Xavier Munford scattered 14 points, five rebounds, and five assists. Zhou Qi finished with 12 points and seven rebounds.
On the other hand, Dech paced Adelaide with 20 points. Dusty Hannahs and Johnson got 18 points apiece.
Adelaide plays its final game of the season on Sunday against New Zealand.
