Bullets Shoot Down the Crocs

The Brisbane Bullets have recorded a rock solid 116-107 victory over the Townsville Crocodiles tonight at the Townsville Entertainment Centre breaking out of their form slump that had seen them lose their last three matches.

Brisbane led at every change and were never seriously challenged by the Crocodiles who looked a shadow of the team that had started the season 4-1 over the first four rounds of competition.

The Bullets welcomed back star guard Steven Black into their lineup for the first time this season after he had successfully recovered from a calf injury and right from the get go he was the catalyst for Brisbane racking up a team high 24 points that saw him land 4/8 from behind the three point line.

His effort though was overshadowed by swingman Sam Mackinnon who filled up the stat sheet in every category picking up 16 points, 13 rebounds, 5 assists, 4 steals and 2 blocks to claim man of the match honours.

Townsville’s imports were the only players to get anything going for the home side with centre Casey Calvary claiming a career high 33 points, while power forward Larry Abney had another solid game yielding his fourth double-double of the season with 19 points and 12 rebounds.

Brisbane came out on fire in the opening moments of the game knocking down baskets from all parts of the court, but Townsville managed to hang with them for most of the quarter trailing by one point with three minutes left in the period before a late 11-3 run from the Bullets saw them take a 36-27 lead at the first break.

The visitors stayed hot in the second term nailing long bomb after long bomb to silence the big crowd at the Swamp and by the end of the half they were 11/17 from behind the three point line and in total control of the match ahead 69-52.

Townsville tried valiantly to reduce the deficit in the third period, but every time they looked like mounting a charge Brisbane shut it down quickly through the defensive efforts of Mackinnon and the powerful inside play of Mark Bradtke (90-74).

The Crocodiles gave the home crowd some hope of victory getting within nine points of the Bullets late in the game, but a spectacular two handed slam from man of the match Mackinnon and some clutch free throw shooting put paid to Townsville’s hopes and in the process gave Brisbane just their second win of the season.

The Bullets (2-3) now get a well earned week off before they welcome the Hunter Pirates to the Brisbane Convention Centre in two Saturdays time. Townsville (4-2) on the other hand only have a few days to turn around tonight’s poor performance when they travel south to meet the Sydney Kings on Monday.

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