8
Dec
4 min read
Bullets snap 12-game United losing streak
Photo: Josh Chadwick/Getty Images
Highlights
Bullets break 36-month losing streak to Melbourne United
Finally. Finally, Finally.
The Brisbane Bullets snapped a 12-game losing streak against Melbourne United with a decisive 122-114 victory (Game Centre) at John Cain Arena on Sunday, December 8, 2024 in NBL25 Round 11.
The win was Brisbane's first against Melbourne since March 2021 — 36 long months — and provided coach Justin Schueller his first win against his former club and mentor, Dean Vickerman.
Brisbane’s strategy to match Melbourne’s high-paced game paid off, as the Bullets executed consistently for the full 40 minutes. The two teams scored an extraordinary combined 236 points, even with Melbourne United's scoring machine Chris Goulding sitting on the sideline while four Bullets had 25 or more.
After being tied at 28-28 after the first quarter and 57-57 at halftime, the Bullets delivered a game-breaking 13-4 run in the fourth quarter to secure the eight-point win and improve to 6-7 for the season.
"It was about sustaining our effort for the entire game," Schueller said post-match.
"We had seen what worked in previous matchups, but today we executed for 40 minutes, and that was the difference."
Casey Prather was instrumental in the win, finishing with 27 points, seven rebounds, and four assists on 4-from-5 three-point land.
Keandre Cook also had 27 points, six rebounds, and five assists, while James Batemon added 25 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Tyrell Harrison dominated inside with 25 points and six rebounds, and captain Mitch Norton contributed 11 points, four rebounds, and four assists.
Brisbane shot an impressive 64% from the field, including 12-from-24 from three-point range, and made 28-of-36 free throws. Despite taking 18 fewer field goal attempts than Melbourne, their efficiency proved decisive.
The loss snapped Melbourne’s five-game winning streak, leaving them at 12-5 but still atop the NBL standings.
Ian Clark returned for United and contributed 24 points and three assists in 23 minutes. Jack White added 21 points and 10 rebounds, Rob Loe had 19 points, six boards, and four assists, while Matthew Dellavedova and Shea Ili each scored 18 points.
The game was tightly contested throughout, with neither team leading by more than eight points until Brisbane's decisive run in the fourth quarter. Melbourne started strong with an eight-point lead in the first quarter, but Brisbane closed the gap to tie it 28-28 at the first break. The teams remained evenly matched through the second and third quarters, with Brisbane holding a slim 88-87 edge entering the final period.
Prather and Batemon hit crucial three-pointers early in the fourth quarter, helping Brisbane build momentum.
Even after Melbourne tied the game with a Loe triple, Brisbane responded with a seven-point burst to regain control.
Cook and Prather hit late threes to give Brisbane a game-high lead of seven with under three minutes to play, and they held firm to close out the win.
