Melbourne United shot down by the Bullets

Melbourne United was unable to continue its winning streak on Sunday afternoon, suffering an eight-point loss to the Brisbane Bullets, 96-88.

It was the Bullets who threw the first punch, as they jumped out to a 10-0 lead after three minutes of play. After Dean Vickerman called a time-out, Melbourne composed themselves and a Chris Goulding triple – in his first game back in weeks – opened the scoring for United.

Nathan Sobey continued his stellar form early with key buckets and when he scored a lay-up halfway through the first term, Brisbane led by 14 points, 19-5.

Sam McDaniel and Yudai Baba kept the scoreboard ticking over late in the term and at the first break, Brisbane held a nine-point lead, 25-16.

Matt Hodgson made sure his presence was felt early in the second term and it was tough going on the offensive end for Melbourne as Brisbane’s lead ballooned out to 17 points when Harry Froling drained a three-pointer after four minutes of play in the quarter.

The final minutes of the first half were vital for United as Jock Landale, David Barlow and Mitch McCarron connected on shots to bring Melbourne back within nine points. At the main break, the Bullets held a 47-38 lead. Landale (12 points and 8 rebounds) was the dominant player on the court.

Brisbane scored the first two buckets of the second half, but then Melbourne went on a 10-0 run – which included two Goulding triples – to make it a three-point game, 51-48.

Goulding scored another triple and was fouled on the shot to make it a very important four-point play and when Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. scored with four and a half minutes left in the third quarter, Melbourne trailed by just one point, 58-57.

That Lual-Acuil Jr. bucket was the first of three scoring trips for the big man as his energy helped Melbourne grab the lead, 63-61, with just under three minutes left in the term.

A Cadee triple on the final play of the quarter had Brisbane leading by four points, 71-67, at the final break.

The fourth quarter started in the best possible fashion for United when Goulding drained a long-range shot and when he hit yet another triple one minute later Melbourne had regained the lead, 73-71.

Brisbane fought back, but then an 8-0 run by Melbourne – highlighted by triples to Landale and Barlow – had United leading by four points, 83-79, with five minutes to play.

The next couple of minutes were back and forth action as neither team gave an inch, but eventually Hodgson scored three clutch buckets down the stretch to give his side some breathing room, 94-86, with 31 seconds on the clock.

Ultimately, Hodgson in the clutch was the difference as he carried his Bullets team to victory, 96-88.

In his return from injury, Goulding showed great signs and it was clear the John Cain Arena crowd enjoyed seeing him back on court. He finished with a team-high 21 points (six triples). Landale (18 points and 12 rebounds) and McCarron (11 points and 7 rebounds) were also important for United.

Brisbane’s second unit was in fine form, led by Hodgson (24 points and 4 rebounds) and Cadee (19 points, 4 rebounds and 3 assists). Sobey (17 points, 5 rebounds and 5 assists) and Law (10 points and 15 rebounds) were again great for Brisbane.

Having won one quarter and drawn another, Melbourne remains second on the NBL Cup ladder with 25 points, just 0.5 points behind Brisbane. Sitting at 10-2 on the season, United retains top spot on the overall ladder.

Next up for Melbourne is a Wednesday night match-up against cross-town rivals South East Melbourne in the Throwdown VI. BUY TICKETS HERE