United storm back in pre-season Throwdown

Pre-season Throwdowns continue to deliver and ahead of NBL26, Melbourne United fired back from a 22-point deficit to beat the South East Melbourne Phoenix 107-101 just days out from the start of the NBL Blitz.

It was a pre-season shootout for the ages last year in a Throwdown and the two local rivals locked horns again on Saturday night at a packed and loud State Basketball Centre.

They were treated to a terrific contest as well with both teams having started their pre-season campaigns during the week with big wins over the under strength Cairns Taipans.

The Phoenix bolted out of the blocks in the pre-season Throwdown with only Angus Glover and John Brown III missing from their full roster.

South East Melbourne scored the opening five points before turning that into a 22-point advantage during the second quarter, but Melbourne had begun to work back into it leading into half-time.

The Phoenix lead was just nine at half-time and then United delivered a scorching second half with 34 points in the third quarter and 33 in the fourth.

South East Melbourne were still flowing offensively too and added another 52 points, but Melbourne did enough in the finish. The dagger blow was a pretty mid-range fadeaway from new signing Milton Doyle that secured the six-point win.

New import point guard Tyson Walker was the star in the win for Melbourne with 27 points and three assists while knocking down 7/8 from three-point range.

Tasmania championship winner Fabijan Krslovic also had 15 points, five rebounds and three assists while his former JackJumpers teammate Milton Doyle also had 11 points, three boards and two assists.

Finn Delany also had 12 points while hitting both his three-point attempts with Malith Machar contributing 10 points and Kyle Bowen 10 to go with five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

There was still plenty for South East Melbourne to take out of the hit out with Nathan Sobey delivering 21 points including 14/18 at the free-throw line.

Jordan Hunter also knocked down 3/6 from downtown on his way to 15 points and eight rebounds with Akech Aliir performing well against his old team with 14 points and five boards including a massive dunk.

Next Star Malique Lewis also had 14 points and seven rebounds with DJ Mitchell contributing nine points and three boards, and Vrenz Bleijenbergh seven points, nine assists and six rebounds.

Both teams now head to the NBL Blitz in Canberra with United first up in action on Wednesday night against the Perth Wildcats. They will then also play the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday.

The Phoenix play their first game at the Blitz against the New Zealand Breakers on Friday before also facing the Sydney Kings on Sunday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL PRE-SEASON 2025/26

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 101 (Sobey 21, Hunter 15, Aliir 14, Lewis 14)

MELBOURNE UNITED 107 (Walker 27, Krslovic 15, Delany 12)

BOX SCORE

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