36ers chomp Crocs

Veteran guard Darren Ng nailed five three-pointers as the Adelaide 36ers picked up their sixth win of the season with a 79-74 triumph over the Townsville Crocodiles at Adelaide Arena on Sunday afternoon.

Ng was 5-of-8 from downtown as he shot 19 points to lead the Sixers to a victory that sent the Crocs tumbling out of the top four on the NBL ladder.

The 36ers led by six at half-time and gradually increased that lead as the second half progressed, only for the Crocs to mount a late charge thanks to American import Eddie Gill (20 points, five assists) and veteran forward Jacob Holmes (eight points, 12 rebounds).

Gill picked up a pair of important steals and Holmes nailed two clutch free throws as the Crocs levelled the scores with under a minute to play.

But, when it mattered most, Stephen Weigh (six points, seven rebounds, eight assists) and Daniel Johnson (20 points, seven rebounds) stayed cool to ice the game for the 36ers from the line.

While Ng was the star for the Adelaide side, he did receive plenty of support.

Import Diamon Simpson picked up 19 points and 12 boards, while Johnson and Weigh also contributed strongly.

Gill was the leading scorer for the Crocs, with Elvin Mims (14 points, seven rebounds) the only other player for the visitors to score in double figures.

The victory sees the 36ers improve to a 6-15 win-loss record, while the Crocs (11-9) drop out of the top four with bitter rivals the Cairns Taipans (12-9) taking their spot.