Harrison heroics not quite enough for Bullets

Tyrell Harrison inspired a stunning Brisbane Bullets momentum swing either side of three quarter-time but Melbourne United answered back with the next nine points to score the 92-87 win at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.

Coming off a strong pre-Christmas win also at home against the New Zealand Breakers, the Bullets fought valiantly all night to stay in touch against the third placed Melbourne and then grabbed the momentum.

That started with a Tyrell Harrison three ball on the three quarter-time buzzer, his first of the season, and then the Bullets went on a stunning 15-2 run to start the fourth period.

Not only did Harrison throw down a huge dunk as part of that, but had two huge blocks that led to a Terry Taylor bucket that saw the home team leading by four points.

However, Melbourne responded with the next nine points that included three huge offensive rebounds to secure the five-point win with the Bullets now 6-15 for the season.

It was a dramatic night at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre with fan turning a last-minute decision into a $10,000 Christmas gift after securing the Carnival Half-Court Shot.

Dan Stetzer calmly stepped up, took a short run-up, launched from halfway and watched the ball drop nothing but net to claim the prize after deciding to attend the game at the last minute.

It was a dominant performance from Harrison for the Bullets only partially reflected with his numbers of 23 points, 11 rebounds, three blocks and two assists on 10/15 field goal shooting.

Javon Freeman-Liberty added 21 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals with Terry Taylor delivering 15 points, six assists and five boards, and Sam McDaniel nine points and five rebounds.

Alex Ducas finished with seven points, three rebounds and three assists, Mitch Norton five points and six assists, Tristan Devers three points and two assists, Tohi Smith-Milner two points and two assists, and Jacob Holt two points and three rebounds.

Chris Goulding had a hot start to the game and ended up top-scoring for Melbourne with 19 points on 3/6 three-point shooting with Tyson Walker adding 16 points and seven steals with Kyle Bowen contributing 14 points and eight rebounds, and Tanner Krebs 12 points.

After Chris Goulding opened up with a triple for Melbourne, Brisbane scored the next four points of the game and were soon leading 9-6 after an and-one from Terry Taylor and finish from fellow import Javon Freeman-Liberty.

Harrison went on to have nine points and five rebounds in the first term alone with Taylor adding eight points, but Goulding went for 12 for Melbourne to help the visitors go into quarter-time on top 28-26.

Harrison then scored again to open the second frame to tie scores up before Melbourne lit it up going on a 15-2 scoring run including three-pointers from Kyle Bowen and Milton Doyle.

Brisbane steadied with a three of their own thanks to Tristan Devers and the Bullets were unlucky not to go into half-time with the last six points when Freeman-Liberty's triple was waved off that looked like it was got off in time.

Melbourne went into the half leading 59-45 despite the 13 and five from Harrison, and Freeman-Liberty's 10 points, three rebounds and three assists with Goulding going for 17 for Melbourne.

Brisbane went on a 7-0 run early in the third quarter to stay int ouch only for Melbourne to respond with the next eight points to push out to a 17-point lead, but the Bullets did stay within striking distance.

That was helped by a buzzer-beater from Harrison on three quarter-time for his first three-pointer of the season with Brisbane cutting the Melbourne lead to 80-71.

The Bullets kept that momentum going with the first seven points of the fourth term including two monster blocks from Harrison firstly on Doyle and then Goulding which led to a bucket from Taylor.

That cut Melbourne's lead to three and the Bullets were only just getting started soon scoring another seven straight points to grab the lead and set the Entertainment Centre alight.

Melbourne responded with nine straight points to be back up two with four minutes on the clock and their three consecutive offensive rebounds proved fatal for the Bullets when Tanner Krebs drained a three ball on the way to the five-point win.

The Bullets now have one more game to go in 2025 when they take on the on-fire Sydney Kings on Tuesday night at Qudos Bank Arena before opening up 2026 back home against the Perth Wildcats on New Year's Day.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

BRISBANE BULLETS 87 (Harrison 23, Freeman-Liberty 21, Taylor 15)

MELBOURNE UNITED 92 (Goulding 19, Walker 16, Bowen 14)

BOX SCORE