Bullets Fall to League Leaders

Brisbane Bullets fought to the final whistle but went down to the ladder-leading Melbourne United, 99-88. After a tight first quarter, Melbourne took control in the second and were able to maintain the double digit lead. 

Proudly supported by Rork Projects, the Bullets took to the court wearing their Indigenous Round* jersey, specially designed by Janelle McQueen, that tells the story of the Club’s proud history spanning over 40 years and symbolising strength, speed and accuracy. 

Nathan Sobey continued to display his impressive ability to score, finishing with 20 points, including a 12 point run to close out the third quarter. 

Lamar Patterson had a strong performance with 19 points and four assists. Harry Froling rounded out the Bullets scoring in double figures with 12 points and 6 rebounds. 

Hodgson made some high energy plays to start the game with two quick finishes at the rim, cleaning up rebounds and picked up a charge. Patterson also got going early, slicing through the paint and making plays for his teammates. 

Tyrell Harrison made an immediate impact off the bench with an offensive rebound and three point play off the put back, to give the Bullets their first lead. In the following possession Harrison pulled down a defensive rebound then threw it down on the other end of an alley-oop from Jason Cadee. 

Both sides battled going basket for basket. A Harry Froling three, closely followed by a Shea Ili long bomb kept the scores close late in the quarter. Five quick points from Patterson gave the Bullets a three point lead at quarter time. 

Melbourne sharp shooter, Chris Goulding hit the first three points of the second quarter to level the scores. A tough defensive play from Jason Cadee gave the Bullets possession but was mirrored by an offensive foul down the other end the next play. 

A beautiful lob from Drmic to Hodgson above the rim ticked the scoreboard over for the Bullets.However, Melbourne got out to a quick lead following a transition three from Goulding and quick two from Jock Landale took the visitors lead out to six mid way through the second. 

Sobey hit a long three to stop United’s scoring run but Goulding fired straight back, keeping the momentum with the visiting side on their way to a 50-38 half time lead. 

Melbourne extended their lead to 20 early in the second half. A couple of stops from the Bullets, led to back to back triples from Cadee and BJ Johnson. A strong take from Patterson gave Brisbane an 8-0 run to reduce the deficit to 12. 

Sobey made some aggressive plays, scoring 12 points in three minutes to reach late in the third to keep the Bullets within reach, however Melbourne continued to apply scoreboard pressure down the other end to take a 15 point lead with a quarter remaining. 

Froling hit a couple of free throws to begin the fourth, but Melbourne hit the next eight straight points. 

Brisbane continued to battle, responding with the next 10, through a Hodgson floater, followed by back to back buckets from Patterson and a three from Froling to reduce the deficit to 13. 

Tanner Krebs and Tamuri Wigness combined for nine points late in the final quarter, however United finished with an 11 point win. 

The Bullets head on the road for four games before returning for their final home game of NBL21 against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Wednesday 8th June. 

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 19

Brisbane Bullets (Sobey 20, Patterson 19, Harrison 12)

Melbourne United (Goulding 22, Lual Acuil 18)

*NBL21 Indigenous Round begins Wednesday May 26 with the Bullets taking on the Taipans in Cairns.