Melbourne United continue unbeaten run as Goulding catches fire

Melbourne United continued their unbeaten start to the NBL season with an impressive road win over the Brisbane Bullets on Friday night at Nissan Arena.

When it mattered most, the superstar duo of Chris Goulding and Jock Landale – who were both named to the Australian Boomers squad earlier in the week – rose to the occasion.

It was a back and forth first half with both teams making runs, but unable to sustain a lead in an even contest.

Goulding got United’s scoring underway with a triple, but it was the Bullets who got out of the gates best early with a 16-9 lead. When Shea Ili was inserted into the game, things started to turn for Melbourne as he scored four quick points to bring United back to within one-point.

Unfortunately, Ili would sustain an ankle injury with four minutes remaining in the first quarter and he would not return to the game. With Ili’s scoring punch missing, veteran David Barlow stepped up and scored a triple, before Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. got busy, scoring six first-quarter points.

Nathan Sobey (6 points) was leading the way for Brisbane as the home team held a 31-26 lead at the first break.

Landale drained a three-pointer on the opening possession of the second quarter, and Lual-Acuil Jr. continued to do work on the offensive end, scoring 11 points in just 8 minutes to help Melbourne stay within reach.

Landale scored another three-pointer and when Barlow connected on his second long-range shot of the night with one minute remaining in the half, scores were tied at 49.

At half time, Brisbane led by one-point, 52-51. The big men for United were leading the way, with Lual-Acuil Jr. (11 points) and Landale (10 points and 5 rebounds) keeping the scoreboard ticking over. Vic Law and Sobey (11 points each) were in fine form for the Bullets.

After a difficult start to the season for United import Scotty Hopson, he got things going on the offensive end in the third quarter in a welcome sight for United fans. While Hopson was scoring freely, Goulding was also heavily involved, including when he wound the clock back with a big baseline dunk.

A 16-7 run to start the second half had Melbourne holding an eight-point lead halfway through the term. Brisbane responded with a run of their own and at the final break, it was United holding a one-point lead, 75-74.

The fourth quarter began with back-to-back Goulding triples and it was a sign of things to come as the sharp-shooter proved to be simply unstoppable in the final frame.

While Goulding was knocking down triples, Brisbane continued to stick around with Sobey doing all her could to keep his side in the game.

A McCarron triple with four minutes on the clock gave Melbourne a four-point lead, 91-87 and it was the start of a game-clinching 9-0 run. Two more triples from Goulding sealed the game for United as the road team claimed a 109-96 win.

Goulding (27 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists) drained a season-high seven triples and showed once again why he is one of the best shooters this league has ever seen. Landale (20 points, 12 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks) drained four triples and became the first ever United player to record 20 points, 10 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 blocks in a game.

Hopson (16 points, 4 assists and 3 steals) had his best game for United, while White (10 points and 7 rebounds) and McCarron (10 points, 8 assists and 3 rebounds) were important factors.

Sobey (27 points, 6 rebounds and 3 assists) and Vic Law (20 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists) continued their blistering form for Brisbane.

United’s 17 three-point makes set a new league-high this season, and with a 4-0 start, Melbourne looks in ominous form heading into Sunday’s 5:00pm clash against the Perth Wildcats at Bendigo Stadium.