Match Recap: NBL23 Preseason vs Brisbane Bullets

Melbourne United have fallen short to close their Ballarat training camp, going down to the Brisbane Bullets at Selkirk Stadium 77-105.

It was an up and down first quarter for United, as they battled against hot shooting from the Bullets through the opening five minutes.

Ariel Hukporti got Melbourne on the board with a bigtime dunk, before new additions Rayjon Tucker and Jordan Caroline put in their first baskets with the club.

Despite this, and some strong defensive plays from Makuach Maluach and David Barlow, Brisbane were able to control the game, leading for the entire quarter.

Newly signed import Devondrick Walker led the way for the Bullets, scoring 10 points in under five minutes to help the visitors take a 16-26 lead into the first break.

Brisbane continued to fire coming out of the first break, putting together a sharp 8-0 run before Xavier Rathan-Mayes scored his first two points for United to end the streak.

Melbourne’s starters seemed to find their rhythm following the bucket from XRM, as Tucker and Caroline bullied their way to the free-throw line, while Chris Goulding knocked in his first triple of the evening.

Even with United’s success on offence, their defence struggled at times, allowing 34 points in the term.

Despite the deficit, Tucker brought the crowd to its feet with an amazing coast-to-coast, buzzer-beating layup to keep Melbourne in striking distance heading into the second half.

Needing to come out with energy to start the third period, United faltered, struggling against the speed and shooting of Brisbane.

The Bullets led by as many as 32 points in the quarter before some strong energy plays from Maluach and XRM narrowed the deficit to 28 points with 10 minutes remaining.

While United were able to bring some energy back into the game thanks to some strong plays from Big A and JC, cutting the lead to 18, it was too little too late.

Brisbane ran away with the victory and will take the bragging rights heading into their sold out rematch with United on Saturday evening in Casey.