Melbourne superstar Cole Anthony has produced two inspirational defensive plays in the dying stages to hand United a gritty 104-99 NBL win over cross-town rivals South East Melbourne Phoenix.
Anthony overcame an early shooting slump and some foul problems to stand tall as United overturned a 15-point first-half deficit in Throwdown XXXIV at John Cain Arena on Saturday night.
With Melbourne up 98-94, Anthony -- who also had 18 points and seven assists -- blocked a three from Skylar Mays as the shot-clock wound down.
In the final minute, Anthony's diving, chase-down steal off Mays was just as uplifting, before he finished off the Phoenix with two free throws.
Cole Anthony comes up with the massive block on Mays Is that the ball game?! #NBL27 https://t.co/urViDgYi1U
— ESPN Australia & NZ (@ESPNAusNZ) October 10, 2026
Luke Travers (24 points) and Josh Oduro (21 points, 10 rebounds) were outstanding for United, who improved to 24-10 in derbies.
Nathan Sobey (24 points) and import D'Shawn Schwartz (19) were SEM's best.
The Phoenix, who misfired at a historically dismal 4-of-41 from three-point range when these sides last met a fortnight ago, turned the tables emphatically in the early throes by drilling four of their first treys.
Meanwhile, Melbourne's shooting was wayward early and live-ball turnovers were a problem.
SEM's French import Yannis Morin blocking Sam Waardenburg's heave on the quarter-time buzzer said it all, the Phoenix dominating the opening term 30-17.
The margin blew out to 15 points, before United staged a wonderful recovery by forcing turnovers, drawing fouls and bossing the boards.
Anthony, who missed six of his first seven shots, lifted in the second frame as Melbourne closed the gap to 53-45 at halftime.
The Phoenix went ice-cold from outside in the third stanza, and careless cough-ups were a major issue, as United went on an 11-0 tear - all while Anthony was sitting with foul trouble - to pinch the lead.
Travers drained a triple to square the scores at 74-74 at three-quarter time, before United progressively seized the upper hand over "little brother" down the stretch.