NBL Round Three Review

A controversial finish in Adelaide’s win over Cairns has shadowed Round Three of the NBL season, as Melbourne remained unbeaten after three games and Townsville drew level at the top of the ladder.

A Dusty Rychart jumpshot with 0.7 seconds remaining gave the 36ers a 92-90 victory at the Convention Centre, and while referees ruled the basket good, the Taipans look likely to launch an appeal, claiming that Rychart committed a shot clock violation which would have given the home side possession.

The winning basket gave Rychart a game-high 28 points, while former 36ers Martin Cattalini and Darnell Mee were both among Cairns’ strong performers.

23 points from centre Chris Anstey continued the Tigers’ fine start to the season, as they knocked off the Bullets at the Brisbane Convention centre, 85-83 on Sunday night.

Melbourne also got 17 points and 11 rebounds from import Rashad Tucker as former greats Mark Bradtke and Lanard Copeland were left disappointed after losing first points against their old side, despite 22 points from Bradtke.

The Tigers move to the top of the NBL table with three wins, and were joined by Townsville, who beat Adelaide at home 108-100 on Friday night, and followed up with an emphatic 124-108 win Sunday over the Wildcats in Perth.

A 36-21 final quarter, and 33 points from young star Brad Newley, soured what was a special occasion for Perth fans, who witnessed Andrew Vlahov’s number being retired pre-game.

The Wildcats had previously thrashed West Sydney 104-78 on Friday night.

Townsville coach Ian Stacker was visibly delighted about his team’s ability to win back-to-back games over the weekend, despite travelling right across the country.

"Given that we played on Friday night, and it took us all day to get here yesterday, it was a good test for us, to see whether we can deal with travel issues and deal with a team playing a home opener - it's the third time we've had to do that so far," he said.

In other games, reigning champions Sydney split two games for the round, going down 98-86 to Hunter before recouping with a morale-boosting home win over Bullets, 112-101, while 32 points from American Brant Bailey gave New Zealand their first win of the season, 112-94 over the Hunter Pirates, after starting the new campaign with four losses.

The Razorbacks also bounced back from their heavy loss to Perth, travelling to Wollongong and picking up a 105-101 victory, thanks to 26 points and 10 rebounds from former Wildcat James Harvey.

After three rounds, Melbourne and Townsville top the ladder with three wins apiece, while New Zealand prop up the competition, just below Wollongong and Perth who also remain outside the eight.

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