By NIKOLE JAVIER
Kai Sotto delivered decent numbers but just couldn't lift the slumping Adelaide side.
Sotto and the 36ers ran out of steam in overtime en route to a 106-101 loss to the Brisbane Bullets in Australia’s National Basketball League on Thursday, Jan. 19, at the Nissan Arena.
Filipino import Sotto, who has become a regular starter for the Sixers in eight games, mustered nine points in a 4-of-7 shooting including seven rebounds in 15 minutes and 49 seconds of play.
After his fine showing in regulation, the 7-foot-3 center would be limited to the sideline as Adelaide failed to find its groove in the extra minutes and yielded to its fourth straight loss.
The 36ers coped brilliantly in the second period from a 13-point deficit and eventually forced their way to overtime after Antonius Cleveland’s two game-tying free throws to make it 91-all.
Adelaide looked like it had enough composure in overtime, with Cleveland greeting the extra period with a go-ahead layup.
Now tied at 93-all with three minutes in the contest, the Bullets would go on a determined 13-8 run to preserve the victory in their tight duel.
“We’ve been Jekyll and Hyde all season and clearly we had our patches again tonight where we look really good and move the ball. Like every game, there are some breakdowns from each individual and as a team and the concept of what we were trying to get done. I was proud of our fightback, but again, it doesn’t change the result that we have,” said Sixers head coach CJ Bruton.
Former NBA guard and Brisbane’s Tyler Johnson tallied 27 points and six rebounds after starting from the bench as it improved 7-17 in the standings.
Meanwhile, Anthony Drmic paced the Sixers with 20 points and six rebounds as they absorbed an 11-13 record and slid to eight in the standings.
Sotto and his crew will once again attempt to regain their winning touch when they face the Melbourne United (13-12) on Saturday, Jan. 21.