Fourth quarter disaster sees Phoenix fall short in Throwdown 29 despite 26 points from Sobey

Written by Lachlan Sherriff

Photo: Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS

If the first 28 Throwdowns wasn’t enough of a message, then Throwdown 29 has surely taught you that Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix really do not like each other.

For Melbourne United, losing to SEM Phoenix is the equivalent of losing a video game to your younger sibling. It’s not meant to happen.

As for SEM Phoenix, they proved a long time ago that they weren’t going to roll over and settle for being the second team in Melbourne. In fact, they want to be the undisputed top dogs.

And there was even more added tension in tonight’s Throwdown, for multiple reasons. For one, both teams probably felt they were good enough to win it all last season, yet were both stopped in the Finals by Illawarra.

Throw in the fact that SEM Phoenix entered tonight on top of the ladder after their dominant blowout win against Cairns last Saturday, while United were right behind them in second after they defeated Tasmania and New Zealand, and there was a lot at stake entering Throwdown 29.

One man who was very clearly up for the challenge was South East Melbourne’s very own Nathan Sobey, who had twelve points in the first quarter alone. Even at 35, Sobey still has a lot left in the tank, evident by the fact he had ten of the first fourteen points for the Phoenix.

But despite Sobey’s heroics, the Phoenix still found themselves down 29-24 at quarter time, and 52-46 at half time. Tyson Walker was leading the way for United at half time with thirteen points, three rebounds and a steal. Milton Doyle was right behind him with eleven points, as the two are quickly proving themselves to be one of the best backcourt duos in the league.

Photo: Getty Images

South East Melbourne were doing well on Jesse Edwards, who only had three points in the first half, but they were letting themselves down at the other end, shooting 39% from the field compared to Melbourne’s 68%.

South East Melbourne did manage to tie it up in the third quarter at one point, with the scores locked at 62-62 with four minutes remaining. Despite this, United finished strong in the third and led 75-70 at three quarter time.

Either way, Nathan Sobey was now having the game of his life, with the 35-year-old going into the huddle with 26 points at three-quarter-time, which was double the amount of Melbourne’s top scorer Tyson Walker.

Entering the fourth quarter, it was clear Sobey was going to need some help if South East Melbourne wanted to win. Sadly for him, it didn’t happen. United came out scorching, scoring the first thirteen points of the final quarter, leading 88-70.

Jordan Hunter finally broke the run with a three-pointer, but it couldn’t kickstart a comeback. Melbourne United stormed home with a 28-13 run in the final quarter to win 103-83. It was Milton Doyle who stepped up in the end for United, with six final quarter points. He ended as Melbourne’s top scorer with eighteen.

Despite the loss, Nathan Sobey showed his class with 26 points. He may be 35 now, but Phoenix coach Josh King knows better than anyone that Sobey still has a lot left in the tank.

“I think Nathan Sobey is one of the most underrated players in the league. He's a tremendous leader for us, both on and off the court, takes care of his body. And he was ready to go. He had it going tonight.”

- Josh King on Nathan Sobey

As for Melbourne United, they’re now 3-0. And a big reason for that is their new point guard, Milton Doyle, who couldn't be any happier about his start to life in Melbourne.

“We're winning games. We're playing the right way. Everybody's coming in and working hard. So that aspect of it, when you come into the gym, you know you're going to get the best from everybody, from the front office, to the coaches, to the players. So I love that part about it.”

- Milton Doyle on what he's loving about Melbourne United

Photo: James Ross/AAP PHOTOS

Both United and Phoenix turn their attention to an opponent they’re not familiar with now - the New Orleans Pelicans. The NBA side will touch down in Australia next week and play United on the 3rd of October at Rod Laver Arena. They’ll then return to Rod Laver two days later to take on SEM Phoenix.