Bullets tame Wildcats in thrilling double-overtime victory

The Brisbane Bullets claimed their first win of NBL22 in style, with a dramatic double-overtime 97-94 victory against the Perth Wildcats. In front of a packed RAC Arena, a three-pointer from Robert Franks with 27 seconds left proved to be the game winner and ended an epic string of clutch shots being hit by both sides.

Rebounding was key for the visitors, with the Bullets outrebounding the Wildcats by 13, including 24 offensive rebounds, leading to 23 second chance points. Tyrell Harrison led in this category with 14 rebounds (seven of those from the offensive end) and 10 points.

Franks was on fire throughout the match, scoring 21 points and pulling down 12 rebounds. Lamar Patterson was outstanding with 27 points, including six three-pointers, while Nathan Sobey showed his versatility on both ends of the floor with 19 points and 12 rebounds. Jason Cadee played a true veteran role in the match, with a composed 10 points and six assists. 

BRISBANE BULLETS V PERTH WILDCATS BOX SCORE
 
It was a tough defensive display from the entire Brisbane unit, with multiple players rotating onto two-time MVP Bryce Cotton. Anthony Drmic and Tanner Krebs made plays that don’t show up on the stat sheet, making every touch for their opposition tough. 

Playing against his former side, Vic Law was strong for Perth with 29 points. While in  typical fashion, Bryce Cotton caught fire in the last quarter and both overtimes to finish with 19 points.

The Bullets got out to a strong start leading 9-0 after three minutes of action. In his 150^th game in the NBL Anthony Drmic made a crafty move and lay-up for to open the scoring. This was followed by a well-executed offensive set finishing with a Patterson pass to Sobey at the rim.

The Wildcats responded mid-way through the first, going on a 16-0 run. Robert Franks stemmed the flow with a much-needed bucket, followed by a tough drive to the basket on the buzzer, to bring the deficit back to five at quarter time.

In the second quarter the Bullets locked in on defence, working hard on the boards and pushing the pace in transition. A tough defensive play from Sobey, followed by a couple of baskets in the paint, swung the momentum the way of the Bullets.

Anthony Drmic went down late in the third after a spectacular defensive effort. Perth looked like they were starting to get ahead, but back-to-back threes from Lamar Patterson saw the Bullets back in front by one at the final break.

Patterson picked up where he left off in the fourth quarter knocking down a long three. Tyrell Harrison was tough inside, working hard on the boards and gaining valuable extra possessions for his team.

Bullets trailed by six late in the fourth but a three from Sobey followed by another from Patterson tied the ball game up with 13 seconds remaining. And, for the second week in a row, the Bullets forced overtime.

This produced more entertaining plays with Patterson and Sobey taking control for the Bullets and the duo of Law and Cotton making plays for the Wildcats. Nothing could split the two teams and a second period of overtime was in order.

Double overtime didn’t disappoint with lead changes and clutch shots aplenty. A knockdown three from Robert Franks gave the Bullets a one-point lead with less than 30 seconds remaining. A tough defensive play from the Bullets forced Bryce into a contested shot and it was the Bullets who gained possession with 0.8 seconds remaining. Patterson inbounded to Cadee for an open lay-up on the buzzer and the Bullets took a three-point win in the end.

Following the match Lamar Patterson spoke of the tenacity his teammates displayed, “I saw a lot of fight and grit. We just didn’t give up. We kept our heads up and just kept moving.”

Hostplus Head Coach James Duncan, further complimented his team’s efforts saying,“Our guys were diving on the floor for the loose balls – the guys did an amazing job at just getting after it”

The Bullets will take confidence from the win as they prepare for Friday night’s rematch at RAC Arena. The game will be broadcast on ESPN via Kayo and Foxtel.

Bullets fans will get their first chance to the see the team in action at Nissan Arena this Sunday 19 December at 2pm AEST. Get your tickets today here.