Mitsubishi Match Recap: Hungry Jack’s NBL26 - Round 5 v Brisbane Bullets

Melbourne United have survived a late fightback from the Brisbane Bullets to collect their sixth-straight win of the NBL26 season.

After giving up the opening points of the period on a free-throw, United went on a tear, scoring 10 unanswered to take early control of the game.

Tanner Krebs was on fire, tallying eight points to lead the way at the offensive end, while Development Player Tom Koppens injected his own energy into the game, adding six quick points off the bench.

At the defensive end, while Jesse Edwards was limited with two fouls, the rest of United’s lineup stepped up.

Tyson Walker came away with a pair of steals, while Fabijan Krslovic and Dash Daniels protected the rim.

This allowed Melbourne to open up a 31-16 advantage to close the first period.

Looking to work his way into the game after playing limited minutes due to foul trouble, Edwards produced a number of huge highlights to start the second.

The big Dutchman corralled an offensive rebound and threw down a monstrous slam at one end before swatting a shot at the other.

With the focus on Edwards inside, Chris Goulding broke free, knocking down a number of history-making three-pointers.

Goulding splashed a trio of triples, moving him past John Rillie for third all-time in NBL three-pointers made, while also becoming the first player to ever connect on a three-pointer in 100 consecutive NBL games.

This brought his total up to 15 points in just 11 minutes and put Melbourne ahead 55-37 at the major break.

Coming out of half time, United’s offence faltered, going scoreless for over three minutes, however it was Walker again who shined at the other end, bringing his steal total up to five for the game.

A renewed focus to attack the rim helped Melbourne find rhythm, as Finn Delany broke the drought with a layup, which was then replicated by Krebs and Koppens.

Two late jumpers, one from Goulding in the midrange and one from deep from Milton Doyle, pushed the lead back out to 70-56 with 10 minutes remaining.

Aiming to secure the result, Melbourne started the final quarter well, going ahead by 20 points before the Bullets hit back, going on a 18-1 run to cut the margin to just eight points with four minutes remaining.

With just three points in it, Doyle showcased his clutch genes, knocking down a triple with 90 seconds remaining to provide the visitors with a buffer.

Three free-throws from Jaylen Adams got it back to three, however Doyle connected from the midrange to push it back to five before Walker swiped a seventh steal and finished an and-one layup to make it 91-83.

Walker would ultimately finish with eight steals, setting a new United club record.

After another stop, it was who else but Doyle who iced the game, splashing another three to cement the 95-86 victory.

United will be back on the court on Sunday afternoon for The Multicultural Game from 2:30pm inside John Cain Arena.

Tickets remain available here.