Melbourne United big man Daniel Kickert hits 10 from 10 to bury Sydney Kings

BIG man Daniel Kickert produced the perfect game to inspire Melbourne United to its second NBL win in four days in Sydney on Wednesday night.

NBL. Melbourne United vs Sydney Zkngs at Hisense Arena. Daniel Kickert scores over Tom Garlepp . Pic: Michael Klein. Sunday November 1, 2015.

BIG man Daniel Kickert produced the perfect game to inspire Melbourne United to its second NBL win in four days in Sydney on Wednesday night.

Kickert, who is already enjoying a stellar season, scored a team-high 26 points with a scintillating 10 from 10 from the field and three triples to lead Melbourne to an important 100-90 road win over Sydney Kings.

It was the best possible way for Melbourne to back up after its impressive win over ladder-leaders Perth last Sunday.

The victory — its fourth road win of the season — improves Melbourne’s win-loss to 13-7 and proves it is slowly but surely getting back to its best.

“It was a great night and I think that was an important win for us,” Kickert said.

“We went through a rough stretch there and stretches like that are hard to get through.

“I think we’ve done a good job of doing that and we’ve timed it well for the last third of the season.

“So we’ll be looking to keep improving.”

Melbourne import Hakim Warrick starred, particularly late in the game, to finish with 21 points and seven rebounds off the bench.

Guards Stephen Holt (nine points and nine assists) and Chris Goulding (19 points) also performed well, while centre Majok Majok fought hard inside for 12 rebounds and six points.

Returning Sydney star Josh Childress topscored with 27 points and pulled down eight boards.

Sydney got the jump on Melbourne in the previous meeting between the two side earlier this month.

There was no danger of that this time with United starting well deep in enemy territory.

Kickert, Goulding and Holt were all strong early to help the visitors to a five-point lead at quarter-time.

The lead would have been more if not for Sydney skipper Tom Garlepp, who shot the lights out in the opening term.

The match developed into a shootout with neither side willing to knuckle down on the defensive end.

Kickert’s strong form continued with the big man shooting 20 points in the first half.

It meant Melbourne led by two points at half-time, although Sydney proved it was up for the contest with Childress and Angus Brandt both causing plenty of headaches for United.

Kickert continued to dominate at the start of the third, while Goulding also began to get it on the act to help Melbourne make its move.

The points kept coming with Melbourne up by 10 points at three quarter-time.

Sydney worked hard to try and drag its way back into the contest with the game on the line.

But Warrick stepped up down the stretch to help keep the home side at bay.

Melbourne now returns home and will next face Illawarra at the State Netball and Hockey Centre next Thursday night.

Originally published as Melbourne United big man Daniel Kickert hits 10 from 10 to bury Sydney Kings