KAI Sotto and the Adelaide 36ers returned to their winning ways, pulling off a 103-95 comeback against the Illawarra Hawks on Friday in the 2022-23 NBL season at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.
The Filipino center got into foul trouble early with three quick fouls but was still solid in his sixth successive start, churning out seven points and six rebounds 10 minutes of play before a record crowd of 9,308 home fans.
READ: Kai Sotto is Philippines' Yao Ming, says Bruton
Daniel Johnson led the way with 18 points, eight boards, and three assists, as Ian Clark shot four three-pointers for his 16 points for Adelaide, which bounced back from an 86-83 loss to the Cairns Taipans last Saturday.
Adelaide improved to an 11-9 record, ahead of another home game against New Zealand Breakers on Sunday.
The 36ers clawed their way back from an 89-81 deficit, going on an 18-0 blast built on four treys, capped off by an Antonius Cleveland split from the line which made it 98-89 in the last 34 seconds.
Cleveland added 16 points, five boards, and five dimes, Anthony Drmic had 16 points, five rebounds, and three assists, and Robert Franks got 13 points, three dimes, and two boards in the win.
Tyler Harvey paced Illawarra with 22 points, as Deng Deng got 19 points and seven rebounds in the defeat.
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