KAI Sotto came up with his best game for Adelaide in Australia’s National Basketball League last Monday. But his best could not save the 36ers from absorbing another numbing loss.
Adelaide dropped an 89-100 defeat to Illawarra at the WIN Entertainment Centre.
The towering 7-foot-3 center scattered 12 points to go with five rebounds and a perfect 8-of-8 clip from the charity stripe in 13 minutes and 44 seconds of action.
Sotto was sidelined in Adelaide’s first four games of the season due to soreness in his right knee.
He also missed the 36ers’ four preseason matches and sat out Adelaide’s 87-74 victory over Perth last Jan. 18.
Sotto, 19, finished with six points, eight rebounds, and one steal in 16 minutes of play in the 36ers 78-97 setback at the hands of Melbourne United last Saturday.
It was Adelaide’s second straight loss of the season for a 3-5 record.
Harry Froling shone for the Hawks, going 8-of-10 clip from deep to wound up with 27 points, nine rebounds, three assists, and two steals off the bench.
His brother Sam Froling added 18 points, eight boards, and five dimes, while Tyler Harvey had 19 points, five assists, three steals, and two rebounds as Illawarra halted a two-game losing streak and hiked its card to 5-3.
Sunday Dech paced the 36ers with 20 points, three rebounds, and two assists, while Todd Withers had 15 points, four boards, and two dimes in the loss.
