Filipino pride Kai Sotto scored a clutch basket in the dying seconds to help the Adelaide 36ers upset the defending champion Melbourne United, 88-83, in overtime in the National Basketball League on Sunday at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The 7’2” Sotto went on to finish with four rebounds and 12 points, including the dagger jumpshot off a Dusty Hannahs assist with 33 seconds left for the final tally.
The 36ers, who tied the contest at 74-all in regulation, let Hannahs take charge in overtime, scoring 10 in Adelaide’s 12-4 run to gain an 86-80 lead with 46 seconds left.
After Chris Goulding sank three freebies to keep Melbourne within range at 83-86, Hannahs then assisted Sotto for the game’s biggest shot, a midrange jumper in the last 33 seconds giving the 36ers the 88-83 spread, which they protected to the finish.
The win snapped Adelaide’s three-game skid to go up 4-6 in the standings in ninth spot.
Melbourne, riding high on an eight-game winning streak entering the game, fell to 8-3 to go down to third place in the standings.
Hannahs finished with 19 points.
The 36ers are coming off a 71-76 upset loss to Tasmania. They were up 61-51 early in the final frame.
Adelaide also avenged its 97-79 loss to Melbourne last Jan. 22, also at the same venue.
