Bullets Fall in Opening Round Overtime Thriller

On an historic opening night of NBL22, the Brisbane Bullets were unable to finish off a fourth quarter comeback falling to the NBL’s newest team the Tasmania JackJumpers in overtime.

It was a high tempo start to the match with both sides feeding off a sold-out MyState Bank Arena crowd in Hobart.

The Bullets first points came from beautifully executed play, with a pass from Lamar Patterson to Tyrell Harrison at the rim. However, it was the JackJumpers who got out to an early lead, applying defensive pressure and forcing the visitors into turnovers, invigorated by a raucous home crowd.

Trailing by eight after the first quarter and by double digits early in the second, Brisbane adjusted to the physicality of the home side, lifting the intensity on defence and getting on the boards to reduce the deficit in the second quarter.

The Bullets struggled from the three-point line in the opening half, but worked hard to get to the rim to keep the scoreboard ticking over.

Mid way through the second, Anthony Drmic cleaned up the offensive glass and kicked it out to Nathan Sobey who knocked down a much needed basket from beyond the arc. This was followed by an impact play off the bench from Hobart local, Tanner Krebs, who crashed the glass and cashed in on a corner three to swing the momentum the way of the Bullets.

Lamar Patterson showed patience on offence, driving to the basket and kicking to a wide open Sobey who knocked down a triple, giving the Bullets the lead with a minute to go in the opening half. The JackJumpers answered back through Jack McVeigh, leaving the Bullets trailing by just one at the main break.

Patterson opened the third with a three and the Americans on both sides really kicked into gear with Robert Franks and the JackJumpers Josh Magette, Josh Adams firing up in the third.

The energy continued to build for the entirety of the match with sixteen lead changes throughout including multiple throughout the final quarter.

Trailing by three with five seconds to go, Nathan Sobey tied it up with a clutch three off a baseline out of bounds play, to send the game to overtime.

An unfortunate turn of events in the overtime period saw Nathan Sobey leave the floor with 3 minutes left in the game. Momentum swung the way of the home side and the Bullets were outscored 14-5 in the extra period, going down 83-74.

After an outstanding NBL21, Nathan Sobey picked up right where he left off, leading the way for the Bullets with 24 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists.

In his first outing in the blue and yellow, Robert Franks impressed with 19 points and 11 rebounds, the first player to record a double-double on debut for the Bullets since Kevin Freeman in 2002. His efforts, particularly on the offensive glass, were a highlight for the visiting side.

Lamar Patterson showed some really positive signs of what’s to come this season, adding 10 points, 7 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Bullets will regroup before heading to Perth to face the Wildcats in consecutive games, their first on Sunday 12 December at 4:30pm AEST.

NBL22 ROUND 1

BRISBANE BULLETS 74 (Sobey 24, Franks 19, Patterson 10)

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 83 (Adams 20, Magette 19, Magnay 10)

BOX SCORE

Brisbane fans will get to see the Bullets in action at home on Sunday 19 December at Nissan Arena against the Illawarra Hawks. Get your tickets HERE.