United hold off Bullets on New Years Day

In front of an energetic home crowd, the Brisbane Bullets were unable to stop the second half flurry of Melbourne United, falling 99-86 on New Year's Day.

The Bullets were without centre Aron Baynes, who was a late withdrawal due to injury, while Melbourne United welcomed veterans Chris Goulding and David Barlow back into the line-up.

Rookie centre, Gorjok Gak embraced his increased opportunity in the absence of Aron Baynes for Brisbane. Getting out to a hot with eight of his team's first 11 points in the contest including a couple of strong finishes at the rim.

However, Melbourne was able to work its way on top to take a narrow lead into quarter-time of 22-20 after a three-pointer from the returning Barlow.

Melbourne hit a three to open the second quarter and stretch the Melbourne lead to five before Tyler Johnson and Gak brought Brisbane back level. 

Both teams went on runs and it was Melbourne who pushed their lead out, but Brisbane stayed in touch and Gak began another 12-2 run that included triple to Jason Cadee and Nathan Sobey getting to the rack.

By half-time, scores were locked at 43-43 and Gak's 14 points and seven rebounds made him the standout performer on the court with both teams shooting a combined 4/23 from beyond the arc.

Things still remained tight through the third quarter however, Goulding went on a scoring spree, hitting three three-pointers and suddenly United were up 14.

Tyler Johnson and DJ Mitchell’s energetic plays lit a fire in the home side. who then went on a 7-0 run. But it was Melbourne who took an eight point lead in the final break.

The Bullets came out in the fourth quarter firing with the first six points of the quarter. However that was as close as they would get and Melbourne United pushed the lead back out and ended up taking the game 99-86.

The young frontcourt combination of Gorjok Gak (18 points,13 rebounds) and DJ Mitchell (16 points) continued to be a shining light for the Bullets throughout the match.

Tyler Johnson had a strong outing for the Bullets with 17 points, 2 assists and 2 steals. Nathan Sobey continued 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, Jason Cadee had nine points and five rebounds and Tanner Krebs added eight points and six rebounds.

For Melbourne, Goulding hit his last four three-point attempts on his way to 20 points for the game with Tucker adding 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Brisbane remain at home and host the Cairns Taipans on Thursday 5 January.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 13

BRISBANE BULLETS 86 (Gak 18, Johnson 17, Mitchell 16)

MELBOURNE UNITED 99 (Tucker 20, Goulding 20, Barlow 11) 

BOX SCORE