First-half onslaught guides Kings to win over Phoenix

The Sydney Kings solidified their spot on the ladder by registering one of their best wins of the season, defeating South East Melbourne 103-92 at the State Basketball Centre on Wednesday.   

Match summary 

Bul Kuol quieted the raucous crowd with the first five points of the match. A Cam Oliver two and another Kuol triple gave the visitors a 10-3 lead. Five quick ones from Oliver and the lead was 10 (15-5), with instant impact by NBL Next Star Slex Toohey keeping the lead intact. A Joe Wieskamp triple, followed by a Tom Vodanovich two-pointer, closed it to just three. At the end of the period, Brian Goorjian’s side led 26-24. 

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The Hoops Capital side opened the period with a Xavier Cooks dunk, but soon after, the NBL23 MVP had to sit down with three personal fouls. Five straight free-throws by Nathan Sobey closed the margin to 31-28. The Sixth Man of the Year front-runner then left his imprint on the game, with five straight points for the harbour city side. Combined with efforts by Jaylen Adams and Sydney regained its double-digit lead. The latter then set up Oliver and Makuach Maluach for scores before a Noi triple made it 52-38. Late scores by Kuol, Noi, Oliver – which was a huge emphatic jam, - and Adams gave the visitors a 62-45 lead at half-time. 

A 10-4 to start the period extended that lead to 23 points early in the third, with Cooks doing it on both ends. After a Josh King time-out, the hosts rattled off an 11-2 run to get back within striking distance. Free-throws by Adams stemmed the momentum, as did another Noi three. The host’s Matt Hurt did all he could close the gap further, with a Wieskamp three making a nine-point game (79-68) at the final change. 

A dunk by Cooks and a score by Oliver kept Sydney in the ascendancy,  as the match’s physicality stepped up a notch. A timely triple by Shaun Bruce was cancelled out by Vodanovich's effort, making it 89-78. Oliver fouled out with just over three to play, but Adams once again stood up in the clutch for Sydney. A late flurry by the hosts, sparked by Sobey and Hurt, closed it late. But buckets by Kuol, Adams and Makuach Maluach sealed the Kings’ 11-point win – in Izayah Le’afa’s 150th game. 

Where the match was decided 

Sydney secured the win thanks to superior statistics in field goal percentage (53-39), free-throw percentage (83-72), assists (22-13), blocks (7-2) and bench points (43-39) 

Key moment 

A 36-22 second quarter by the Kings laid the platform for their 16th win of the season. 

Players of the game 

Noi once again paced the Kings with 24 points, including six triples, and four rebounds. 

Adams was the other standout, with 20 points and nine dimes. 

Watch Brian Goorjian and Makuach Maluach's post-game press conference via the Sydney Kings’ YouTube channel above. While you’re there, be sure to hit subscribe, to ensure you never miss out on any of our great videos.

What’s next 

Goorjian’s team, who are now 16-10, return home to host Adelaide at Qudos Bank Arena on Friday, January 24, with the Members Appreciation Round fixture tipping off at 7.30pm AEDT. 

Tickets are still available here.