An inspired all-round performance by Brad Newley steered Townsville to a clinical 105-93 win over struggling Adelaide at the Swamp.

A determined Newley scored 26 points, including 20 in the first half, and had eight rebounds and five assists as the Crocodiles won their third game in a row.

The win maintained Townsville's (9-8) pressure on the league's top four teams.

Despite a game-high 30 points from import Willie Farley, the 36ers were never in the hunt after the opening quarter, self-imploding on several occasions - with a chair copping the full brunt.

Fading star Brett Maher (13 points) booted the substitutes bench in a fiery rage after being dragged in the third quarter while coach Phil Smyth was slapped with a technical by an over-zealous referee.

For the home team, the win proved to be a double celebration with Townsville Import Larry Abney, who had a massive double-double with 24 points and 18 rebounds, scoring his 1,000th career point.

Skipper John Rillie added 19 points and 10 assists while Nick Horvath had 21 points for Adelaide.

Farley scorched the Crocodiles from outside early, guiding the visitors to a 14-4 buffer before Newley initiated the revival.

The Boomers guard, a late withdrawal from this year's NBA draft nominations, fought his way to the basket on several occasions before a late bucket put Townsville in front 24-23 at the end of the first quarter.

The Crocodiles picked up where they left off in the second quarter with Newley providing more headaches for the frustrated 36ers.

A technical on Smyth summed up Adelaide's night as Townsville blew the lead out to 59-46 at halftime.

Despite the 36ers (5-12) closing the lead to nine points in the final term, the game was all but over by the end of the third quarter, with the Crocodiles comfortably ahead 86-66.

Abney warned his teammates not to get complacent as Townsville work towards a top-four berth.

"We've still got our work to do," he said.

"We can't take these last few wins and sit on that."

Adelaide coach Phil Smyth refused to concede the season was over despite the 36ers struggling at the bottom of the ladder.

"I don't think (the season is over) but if we continue to play like we are it could be," he said.

"We can't get a group on the floor. Anything that can go wrong this season seems to have gone wrong.

"It's not the end of the season but it's getting dangerously close."

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