Recap | Bullets overrun by powerful United

The Brisbane Bullets had done well to fight back impressively in the third quarter despite having lost Jaylin Williams to a shoulder injury, but Melbourne United had a massive final period to end up winning 120-92.

The Bullets arrived at John Cain Arena on Saturday night fresh off beating the Adelaide 36ers on the road back on Sunday and then the Perth Wildcats at Nissan Arena on Wednesday to bring plenty of confidence into the clash with United.

Melbourne had also won three straight going into the game and United did open up a 23-ponit lead in the second quarter, but Brisbane fought back impressively to be just down 10 by three quarter-time.

But United pulled away with 37 points to 19 in the fourth quarter saw them end up winning by 28 with the Bullets now 6-6 on the season by the end of Round 8.

Considering everything the Bullets have had to deal with, a .500 is a positive result and the injury troubles continued on Saturday night with import forward Williams injuring a shoulder during the second quarter.

The Bullets did end up shooting 18/42 at 43 per cent from behind the arc for the game but in the end lost the rebound count by 24, which was more a reflection on the 44 missed shots to 22 they had than anything.

The biggest difference in the game was Melbourne going 28/35 at the foul line to just 8/13 from Brisbane.

There were still plenty of positives for the Bullets, including Rio Bruton hitting the floor for the second time in the NBL and making the first three-pointer in his career, to go with three rebounds and three assists.

Harry Rouhliadeff also found some shooting touch hitting 3/7 from downtown for nine points and two rebounds with Lat Mayen top-scoring with 15 points on 6/7 from the field and 3/4 from behind the arc.

Captain Mitch Norton finished with 13 points and three assists with 3/5 shooting from the outside, Nate Hinton 13 points, four steals and three assists, and Taine Murray 12 points and two assists.

Mawot Mag also gave some standout minutes with eight points, two rebounds and two steals with Archie Woodhill adding six points and three assists, Raul Neto six points, six assists and two steals, and Tyrell Harrison five points and five rebounds.

Both teams came into the match up in winning form but it was United with the hot start going 12/19 from the field and a perfect 4/4 from deep to be leading 29-17 by quarter-time.

Nate Hinton had six points already and Mitch Norton five for a Bullets team who were shooting 7/19.

Both teams had a good offensive groove through the second quarter combining for 64 points and by the end of it, Melbourne remained in control leading 62-48.

Norton was feeling good with his shot and the Bullets captain was already up to 11 points on 3/4 three-point shooting going into the half-time break.

The Bullets kept on fighting and had the deficit back to just 10 by three quarter-time on the back of 25 points in the third term on 10/24 shooting and going 5/11 from downtown.

Melbourne were still leading 83-73 and just had too much firepower, and were fresher, come the final quarter to put up another 37 points to 19 to secure the 28-point win.

The Bullets now have another double-header to prepare for in Round 9 starting in New Zealand against the Breakers on Friday before returning to the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Sunday against the Tasmania JackJumpers.

GAME DETAILS

BRISBANE BULLETS 92
MELBOURNE UNITED 120

John Cain Arena, Saturday November 7

Lat Mayen – 15 points, 3/4 3PT
Mitch Norton – 13 points, 3 assists, 3/5 3PT
Nate Hinton – 13 points, 4 steals, 3 assists
Taine Murray – 12 points, 2 assists
Harry Rouhliadeff – 9 points, 2 rebounds, 3/7 3PT