Aliir wins double OT Throwdown for United

Angus Glover hit two massive clutch three-pointers to show what he will bring to the South East Melbourne Phoenix in NBL25 but Melbourne United won 121-120 in double overtime thanks to Akech Aliir.

Glover's first huge shot came with 0.5 seconds to go in regulation to give the Phoenix the three-point lead at the State Basketball Centre in the pre-season Throwdown.

His Sydney Kings championship teammate Ian Clark then nailed a desperation heave to beat the buzzer that banked in to force overtime.

It was Glover that sent the game to a second extra period with a buzzer beating three at the end of the first five minutes. In the end Aliir (eight points, six rebounds) made two strong finishes inside for United to prevail by a point when he intentionally missed his and-one to deny the Phoenix.

Melbourne won despite South East Melbourne getting 32 points on 11/16 shooting and 4/8 from deep from Tom Vodanovich, and 24 points on 5/8 from deep from Glover.

Phoenix import Matt Hurt was the only player absent from either team after losses during the week for both to the Brisbane Bullets with South East Melbourne starting well to lead 30-23 by the end of one.

Melbourne put up the first 14 points of the second period and led 51-41 at the half holding the Phoenix to 11 on 3/22 shooting in that quarter.

With 12.6 seconds to go, Angus Glover took what he thought was the last shot pulling up for a deep three to give South East Melbourne the 96-93 lead.

Melbourne had 0.5 seconds for a prayer and Ian Clark answered it getting it off just in time and banking it in to force overtime.

Overtime was just as dramatic with two triples from Tom Vodanovich helping the Phoenix to a four-point lead with two minutes to go before Shea Ili hit the next seven points for United.

Glover again had the last say with a buzzer beating three to send it to a second extra period, but two tough finishes down low from Akech Aliir saw Melbourne win an incredible pre-season Throwdown.

Shea Ili was a man on a mission for United with 26 points and five assists with Ian Clark adding 16 points on 4/8 three-point shooting, Chris Goulding 14 points on 3/8, Marcus Lee 12 points and 14 rebounds, and Tanner Krebs 11 points.

On top of what Vodanovich and Glover provided South East Melbourne, Nathan Sobey had 20 points and four assists in just 17 minutes with Jordan Hunter adding 10 points, seven rebounds and three assists, and Owen Foxwell 10 points, five boards, three assists and two steals.

It was a rough night for new import Joe Wieskamp who had four points and two turnovers in over 35 minutes on 1/11 shooting.

Both teams now turn their attention to the NBL Blitz on the Gold Coast with Melbourne first up on Saturday night against the Cairns Taipans. The Phoenix then play the Illawarra Hawks on Sunday afternoon.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL PRE-SEASON

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 120 (Vodanovich 32, Glover 24, Sobey 20)

MELBOURNE UNITED 121 (Ili 26, Clark 16, Goulding 14)

BOX SCORE