The Townsville Crocodiles ended a four game losing streak with a remarkable comeback 116-95 win over the Adelaide 36ers in an NBL clash at the Distinctive Homes Dome in Adelaide.

The 36ers appeared to be cruising midway through the second term with a 20-point lead, but just before halftime the momentum shifted and the Crocodiles went on to record a famous victory in an incident-packed encounter.

John Rillie was devastating for the Crocodiles with 32 points, as was Larry Abney (30) while Brad Newley (17) also produced a fine display.

For the 36ers Willie Farley continued his return to form with 24 points, and before his ejection from the court in the final term, Nick Horvath (17) was useful along with captain Brett Maher (16).

But the night was marred by young 36er Brad Hill leaving the court in the second period with a broken arm after falling in a clash with Abney.

Hill was quickly taken from the stadium for medical treatment.

Adelaide coach Phil Smyth said Hill had broken his arm in two places.

"Bone was sticking out through the skin," Smyth said.

"I would imagine he'd have surgery on it either tonight or first thing in the morning."

Townsville coach Trevor Gleeson said there was no malice in the incident and he hoped Hill would be back in action soon.

"It was a layoff and Larry chased it down and tried to make him earn it so I hope he's fine," Gleeson said.

In a furious opening period Maher, Horvath and Farley were on fire for the 36ers with some clever passing and clinical finishing.

With only Daniel Egan and Abney posing any real offensive threat for the visitors, the 36ers took a 33-22 lead to the first break.

Despite the setback of losing Hill, the 36ers raced out to a 20 point lead midway through the second term, only for John Rillie and Brad Newley to sink some late pressure baskets to pull the Crocodiles back to 56-48 at halftime.

Suddenly the Crocodiles looked the confident side that started the season so well and by three-quarter-time the growing influence of Rillie and Newley was proving vital as the visitors whittled the margin back to one point at 80-79.

In the final term the Crocodiles quickly took the lead with baskets from Rillie and Williamson and, although Farley and Maher responded with some inspired finishing of their own, any chance of a 36ers win evaporated with the ejection of Horvath in the final minutes for reacting to a technical foul call.

A frustrated Horvath was first sent from the court and then ordered from the bench as his and the crowd's anger with the officials boiled over.

The Crocodiles were awarded six foul shots, converting five of them to seal the game.

Gleeson said the job that Andrew Rice did on Horvath might have contributed to his frustration."Ricey did a really good job and competed and rebounded very well," he said.

"It gave us a little bit of leverage."

Smyth said Horvath and the team had lost their discipline in the final minutes.

"He was fouled and it didn't get called and he was frustrated because he thought he'd been fouled a lot during the game," Smyth said.

The win gives the Crocodiles a 6-7 record and puts them two wins clear of the 36ers, who have a game in hand at 4-8.

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