South East Melbourne overcame the lowest-scoring half in franchise history and a massive deficit to advance to the NBL Playoffs with an 85-75 comeback win over Adelaide.
The Phoenix trailed by 20 points just before halftime of the Play-In Game at John Cain Arena on Sunday, repeatedly hurting their own chances with poor shooting.
But Matt Hurt exploded in the second half to spearhead an irresistible fightback - the biggest of the NBL season - with 25 points and nine rebounds.
Ben Ayre (17 points) provided a huge spark off the bench as Matt Kenyon and Owen Foxwell helped limit Sixers superstar Kendric Davis after the main break.
The Phoenix's victory set up a best-of-three Playoff series against top seeds Illawarra, with a place in the Championship Series on the line.
"These guys never stop fighting. I'm so proud of them," Hurt said.
"Down 19 (at halftime), we had no energy, we had no lift.
"I take responsibility for that and I'm just glad we got the win because not many teams get to do it like that."
Phoenix coach Josh King said he never stopped believing his team could recover from a lifeless first-half performance.
"In the second half they did a great job," King said.
"That's the team we've seen all year long; playing with energy, playing with pace and really working hard on the defensive side of the ball."
A lot of what Adelaide did right in the first half - especially their hard-nosed defence - deserted them when it mattered.
Davis (26 points, six assists) and Montrezl Harrell (17 points, 14 rebounds) had put the Sixers firmly in control early in the contest.
Harrell starred despite rolling his left ankle early, and Adelaide led 45-26 at halftime following a half-court buzzer-beater from league MVP runner-up Davis.
But it descended into a blame game on the visitors' bench as their lead unravelled, ending their season in the process.
"Unfortunately it was a mini version of our whole year," Sixers coach Mike Wells said.
"I don't know if we could play a much better first half. That was what we were looking for and what the group's been capable of from the very beginning.
"Then unfortunately (we produced) a five-assist, 30-point second half where the defence wasn't anywhere near where it was the first half.
"That's a hard one for me to sort of sit here and digest right now.
"I thought we were organised and really detailed in the first half, but their pressure got us out of our comfort zone and spat us out the second half."
Adelaide's loss ended the career of highly respected guard Jason Cadee, who has retired after 15 years in the league.
