Bullets dismiss Dragons’ fight
It was the Bullets over the Dragons in Melbourne, but it was an all-in brawl that took the headlines as Brisbane came up with 111-95 victory at the Vodafone Arena tonight.
With six minutes to go in the last quarter and the Bullets leading by six, a heated confrontation between Shane Heal and Sam McKinnon evolved into a scuffle involving every player on the court, as both players earned ejections for their troubles.
Losing Heal proved critical, as not only did the Dragons lose their coach in the waning minutes of a tight game, but the 35 year old had also just knocked down a difficult three and looked the man most likely to get the home side anything from the contest.
South had come into the game on the back of two wins under Heal’s coaching, but was unable to ignite the crowd with a third in succession.
Star off-season recruits CJ Bruton and Dusty Rychart proved the difference for Brisbane, both scoring 24 points, and combined for 17 of their team’s 25 fourth quarter points.
McKinnon also added 19 points of his own and four blocks before being ejected, while veteran big Mark Bradtke controlled the glass with 11 rebounds.
|
NBL Championship - Round 7 |
| BRISBANE BULLETS |
111 |
| CJ Bruton | 24 |
| Dusty Rychart | 24 |
| Sam Mackinnon | 19 |
|
| SOUTH DRAGONS |
95 |
| Kavossy Franklin | 18 |
| Joe Ingles | 16 |
| Matt Shanahan | 15 |
|
@ Vodafone Arena, Melbourne
Crowd: 2,982 |
For the Dragons, exciting swing duo Kavossy Franklin and Joe Ingles had 18 and 16 points respectively, while Matt Shanahan added 15 and Heal 13.
It was Shanahan who proved crucial in the first period too, as 15 McKinnon points threatened to blow the game out, especially when the margin reached double.
Shanahan however, had several key baskets, including a three-point play, and 10 points of his own in the quarter meant the deficit was only two at the first break.
Buoyed by the home support, the Dragons had the lead out to eight midway through the second stanza, but a late flurry sparked by Bruton and Adam Gibson had the Bullets leading 63-56 at the half.
Another strong showing in the third kept the Dragons at bay, and despite threats of a comeback late, Heal’s absence down the stretch put a nail in the home side’s coffin that was unable to be removed.
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