Two clutch free throws from Mitch Creek followed by Todd Blanchfield's missed three-pointer on the full-time buzzer have helped South East Melbourne escape with a gripping 91-90 NBL win over the Perth Wildcats at RAC Arena.
The lead changed hands five times in the final two pulsating minutes at the Wildcats' home on Friday as Phoenix edged ahead by a point after Creek buried two pressure free throws with 16 seconds remaining.
Then, on the last possession, Bryce Cotton blew past Ryan Broekhoff into the paint before dishing out to Luke Travers.
Travers then swung it over to Blanchfield, but when the veteran swingman's last-second long bomb rimmed out, Phoenix's third successive victory was assured.
"These are the moments you play basketball for," Creek said.
"It almost brings a tear to your eye.
"To hear the fans like that, your legs shake, you hear the floor shake and that's why you play basketball.
"Bryce played an incredible game - holy gosh, he's an incredible player.
"Kudos to him, but amazing defensive job by the boys."
Creek (22 points) was enormous early and, despite being saddled with foul issues, came up big in the clutch, while teammate Ryan Broekhoff scored all of his 18 points after halftime.
Creek's 13-point first quarter, which he iced with a three on the bell, put South East up 27-18 at the first break.
Phoenix's lead stretched to 12 early in the second, before Cotton got motoring, posting 20 of his game-high 27 points in a devastating first half.
The American scored 14 of them - two treys over Creek, an enormous dunk over Junior Madut, three free throws and a stepback triple on the halftime bell over Gary Browne - in a masterful second term to give Perth a 51-45 halftime advantage.
Creek had to take a seat after needlessly racking up his fourth foul early in the third stanza, at the end of which the Wildcats still led 74-69.
The home side's offensive well ran dry for much of the fourth as the visitors diligently chipped into the deficit which they eventually reeling it in to consign the Wildcats to their third consecutive loss.
