Trentyn Flowers has experienced his fair share of struggles since arriving in the NBL this pre-season, but after leading the 36ers to their first win of the campaign – he’s arrived.

The 18-year-old had scored a sum total of 11 points in four games prior to the victory over Illawarra, and after a quiet first three quarters he exploded for an 18-point final quarter to slingshot his side to victory from the jaws of defeat.

The 36ers outscored Illawarra 35-20 in the final term, and Flowers’ 18 points is the most points in a quarter by any player in the NBL this season.

The Next Star has revealed the moment he knew he was hot down the home stretch.

“I think Jase (Cadee) came off a pick and roll,” he reflected post-game. “I shook out into the corner and he through a kickout to the three and I hit it.

“That was my second and I though ‘ok, I’ve got it going’.

“Then I would say part of it was the defensive energy I brought sliding my feet, being able to cut dudes off, I was switching one through five.

“My teammates were just behind me the whole entire game with total faith in me. I’m grateful.”

Flowers’ run in the final quarter came after he impressed in a brief appearance late in the game during the Round 2 loss against Sydney.

Bruton says during Adelaide’s 0-4 run to start the season he’s been prepared to give court-time to those playing the best, and against the Hawks it happened to be the red-hot Flowers.

“I’m playing whoever’s playing well. Sunday didn’t play 30 minutes, Macca didn’t play 30 minutes. You all get a shot – if you’re playing well, you play,” he said.

“I’m here to win games.

“He (Flowers) has been playing well, he’s cutting, he’s moving, he’s sliding his feet and bit by bit his time will come, but everything in this game is about learning.

“There are certain things that come across in the NBL and FIBA basketball that just don’t happen in high school coming in, but all those guys who have transitioned and transitioned well to the NBA, that takes growth and time … he’s putting in the work.

"From where he’s at coming in the week before we start playing games, picking a lot of things up, and then trying to find his feet and learning all spots on the floor … he’s saying ‘believe in me’ and I’m saying the same thing back."

The 36ers are set to tackle another double-header in Round 4. First, they host South East Melbourne on Thursday before welcoming Perth on Saturday.