Tigers turn tables on Bullets

The Melbourne Tigers have turned the tables on the Brisbane Bullets to record a nine-point win at the State Netball and Hockey Centre tonight.

On the back of superior shooting and dominant interior defence, the home side bounced back from last week's double-overtime loss to the Bullets to arrest a two-game slide.

Brisbane's pressing defence threatened to cause a repeat of their previous come-from-behind win but with their perimeter shooters having an off night, could not generate enough offence to make a serious run at the lead.

Veteran point guard Darryl McDonald took control when it mattered most, scoring 16 of his team-high 18 points in the second half. Dave Thomas and Stephen Hoare both contributed 17 points while David Stiff finished with 16 points, eight of those kick-starting the Tigers in the opening quarter.

Import Dusty Rychart finished with a game-high 23 points and 13 rebounds for Brisbane while Ebe Ere scored 19 points and Sam Mackinnon produced another solid all-round performance with 14 points, 13 rebounds and seven assists.

Brisbane started the match much like they finished last week, Rychart scoring the opening two baskets inside the first thirty seconds, but the game quickly settled into the tight contest expected by the 3220 fans in attendance. Early offence from Stiff and Chris Anstey (seven points) gave the edge to the Tigers 34-30 in a high-scoring first quarter.

Melbourne extended their lead to eight points in the second term before Stephen Black (5 points) and Mark Bradtke (4 points) combined for a 9-0 run, Brisbane claiming the lead 40-39 with 5:31 remaining in the half.

The Tigers responded after coach Alan Westover's time-out, outscoring the visitors 17-8 to go into the half with a handy eight-point lead. Stephen Hoare (eight points including back-to-back three pointers) and Dave Thomas (seven points) provided the attacking spark for Melbourne.

The Tigers came out firing in the third quarter with a 9-4 run, Brisbane coach Joey Wright calling a quick time-out after Anstey drew a charging foul out of Rychart. Behind by 15 points, the Bullets went to their their full-court press which started to produce some Melbourne turnovers when McDonald went to the bench.

But without the scoring punch of guards CJ Bruton and Stephen Black (eight points between them in the second half), Brisbane struggled to close the gap.

The Tigers took a 85-76 lead into the final change after Hoare blocked a last-second shot from Brad Williamson – one of nine Melbourne blocks for the match.

The Tigers then went in for the kill in the final term, two Darryl Corletto three-pointers setting up a seemingly match-winning 16-point lead.

But import guard Ebi Ere finally found the outside touch for Brisbane, scoring seven straight points to bring the Bullets back to a seven-point deficit with under four minutes to play.

But McDonald scored on Melbourne's next trip down the floor and then sank four from four free throws down the stretch to ensure the win.

The Tigers now move to 7-4 on the season and sit one win behind Brisbane, who have given up top spot to the Perth Wildcats but will look to bounce back as they take on the Adelaide 36ers at home tomorrow afternoon.

•  Have a view on this story? Send us your feedback!