Bullets Fall in Hard Fought Battle with Phoenix

It was a valiant effort from the Brisbane Bullets who came up just short, falling to South East Melbourne Phoenix, 98-94.

Lamar Patterson delivered another 27 points, seven rebounds and five assists for Brisbane with Robert Franks adding 23 points, eight boards and five assists. Anthony Drmic also put up 11 points and three assists.

Brisbane started well going up 6-2 early, with Robert Franks firing, scoring seven of his team's opening nine points. Tyrell Harrison then came on to give Brisbane a boost inside with a couple of buckets and both South-East Melbourne bigs Zhou Qi and Brandon Ashley picked up two fouls.

However, Phoenix’s Cam Gliddon then came on knocked down four three-pointers to finish the opening term to put the home side up 30-23.

Phoenix jumped out to a double figure lead, early in the second quarter, but the Bullets fought back in the second, locking themselves into a grind and trailing by three at the half.

It was a hot shooting half from both teams with Brisbane shooting 62 per cent as a team from the field, while Phoenix’s Gliddon and Broekhoff combined for 7/9 from deep.

Lamar Patterson caught fire in the third quarter, drawing the scores level mid way through the quarter. It was a seesawing battle, as the Phoenix pushed the lead back out to seven, before Brisbane responded again through to two quick triples from Franks.

The Bullets continued to fight through the fourth quarter. A Mitch Creek inside finish saw South East Melbourne up six with 46 seconds left, however the game was far from over yet.

Patterson and Franks both scored to bring the Bullets within a point with 13.4 seconds left. Xavier Munford hit a free-throw but the Bullets had the ball out of a timeout with 11.9 seconds down two.

Franks got a good look at the three, but it wouldn’t fall and Broekhoff was able to grab the defensive rebound, made both free throws and Phoenix were able to take the win.

Despite his disappointment following the loss, Hostplus Head Coach James Duncan was proud of his team’s effort and their fight to the final whistle.

“We can’t fault the effort…The challenge is to continue to do that for the rest of the season.”

“All we could ask for is an opportunity to win at the end of the game.” 

When asked about his great run of form lately, Patterson was clearly focussed on one thing,  “I’d rather have a decent game and win, than have a great game and lose.”

NEXT UP

The Bullets take on the Cairns Taipans in the Far North on Thursday before returning home to Nissan Arena to play the Tasmania JackJumpers on Saturday, 26 February. Tip-off is at 4:30pm.Get your tickets HERE.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 12

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 98 (Gliddon 20, Broekhoff 18, Creek 15)

BRISBANE BULLETS 94 (Patterson 27, Franks 23, Drmic 11) 

BOX SCORE