Bullets defend home court with OT win over Wildcats

The Brisbane Bullets put on an entertaining performance in front of an energetic home crowd, beating the Perth Wildcats 97-93 in overtime for the second time.

It was an exciting night for Brisbane, who got their Christmas wish as Nathan Sobey led the charge for the Bullets and the team got their first win under Greg Vanderjagt. They also welcomed back Tyler Johnson, Tanner Krebs and Gorjok Gak who all made a huge impact in their minutes on the floor.

It all came down to the final minute of regular time but in the Wildcats’ last trip down the floor in regulation, it didn’t feel that way,  as Perth star Bryce Cotton had the ball in his hands with the clock expiring.

His attempt was blocked by Gorjok Gak which granted the Bullets a last-second shot of their own just past half court, which rimmed out. It was 87-87 at full time. 

In the overtime period the Bullets continued to get it done. Gak tipped in a missed Andrew White III three and Sobey converted on the next trip down the lane which gave Brisbane a five-point lead. 

An under pressure Corey Webster layup made it a two-point game, but an uncharacteristic miss from the free-throw line and a frenetic final Wildcats’ offensive play that ended in a Thomas foul ensured the home crowd got the four-point win they wanted. 

Fittingly, it was Sobey who iced the game. First with the last-minute driving lay-up and then a last-second pair of free throws.

Sobey put together another outstanding performance with 30 points, 9 assists and 6 rebounds. Aron Baynes had a strong double-double with 12 points and 10 rebounds.

Tanner Krebs was a welcome addition in his first game back from injury with 15 points and 5 rebounds. Tyler Johnson had some impressive plays especially down the stretch with 11 points 5 rebounds and 4 assists

Bullets coach Greg Vanderjagt enjoyed his first win as the Bullets Head Coach.

"The emotion was... I don't know if it was relief, jubilation or a combination of a lot of things," Vanderjagt said.

"I'm kind of just happy for the group to break out of a funk and get the win. I think I said it in the introductory press conference during the week: I'm privileged to be coaching professional basketball. 

"Sometimes they do go your way, sometimes they don't. Tonight it did go our way. We're happy with the win, but now it's about how do we put two or three wins together."

The Bullets hit the road and take on the Adelaide 36ers on Thursday before returning back to Nissan Arena on New Years Day to take on Melbourne United.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 12

BRISBANE BULLETS 97 (Sobey 30, Krebs 15, Baynes 12)

PERTH WILDCATS 93 (Cotton 30, Webster 16, Thomas 15, Travers 15) 

BOX SCORE