Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Melbourne superstar Cole Anthony has produced two inspirational defensive plays in the dying stages to hand United a gritty 104-99 NBL win over cross-town rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Anthony overcame an early shooting slump and some foul problems to stand tall as United overturned a 15-point first-half deficit in Throwdown XXXIV at John Cain Arena on Saturday night.
With Melbourne up 98-94, Anthony – who also had 18 points and seven assists – blocked a three from Skylar Mays as the shot-clock wound down.
In the final minute, Anthony’s diving, chase-down steal off Mays was just as uplifting, before he finished off the Phoenix with two free throws.
Luke Travers (24 points) and Josh Oduro (21 points, 10 rebounds) were outstanding for United, who improved to 24-10 in derbies.
“We just grew into it,” Melbourne coach Jacob Chance said.
“We were disappointed with our start.
“Once we dried up what their threes looked and felt like, it made a big difference.”
Nathan Sobey (24 points) and import D’Shawn Schwartz (19) were SEM’s best.
The Phoenix, who misfired at a historically dismal 4-of-41 from three-point range when these sides last met a fortnight ago, turned the tables emphatically in the early throes by drilling four of their first five treys.
Meanwhile, Melbourne’s shooting was wayward early and live-ball turnovers were a problem.
SEM’s French import Yannis Morin blocking Sam Waardenburg’s heave on the quarter-time buzzer said it all, the Phoenix dominating the opening term 30-17.
The margin blew out to 15 points, before United staged a wonderful recovery by forcing turnovers, drawing fouls and bossing the boards.
Anthony, who missed six of his first seven shots, lifted in the second frame as Melbourne closed the gap to 53-45 at halftime.
The Phoenix went ice-cold from outside in the third stanza, and careless cough-ups were a major issue, as United went on an 11-0 tear – all while Anthony was sitting with foul trouble – to pinch the lead.
Travers drained a triple to square the scores at 74-74 at three-quarter time, before United progressively seized the upper hand over “little brother” down the stretch.
“We didn’t take care of the ball,” Phoenix coach Josh King said.
“A lot of it was careless, unforced turnovers and I think that’s where the game was lost.
“We’re really having a tough time concentrating and sticking to the game plan right now.”
