West Sydney Dominates Brisbane
Friday, September 2, 2005 – 10:37 pm
William Sit, Sportal
The Breakfree Brisbane Bullets made a horrifying season debut, as did their opponents, in a very scrappy first game. Brisbane’s high profile recruits struggled to play from the ‘get-go’ while its players from last season struggled to help their new team mates settle in. Skipper Derek Rucker was the only Bullet to score over 10 points, finishing on 14 as the away side lost 73-52 to the West Sydney Razorbacks.
Newly signed players Mark Bradtke, Sam MacKinnon and Lenard Copeland all struggled to give Brisbane any type of boost and it only got worse as Stephen Black and Rucker combined for 19 missed shots; 11 of those from three point range.
The main reason why Brisbane lost were its 21 fouls, as compared to West Sydney’s 9 and this meant that the Razorbacks were able to go to the free throw line 10 more times than their opponents.
Coach Joey Wright wasn’t very impressed with his team’s performance, “Everyone’s rooting for us to win it all this year. This wasn’t the kind of game to show to people that we can contend. There is no way we can come out on top by playing how we did tonight.”
Rucker stated, “It was a tough game. We’ve got to relax and take it one step at a time and try to get some chemistry going.”
Rucker also added he was looking forward to their next game against Hunter, “Tomorrow night could be a good time to show what we really got in the tank.”
The low scoring game for both sides was a result of physical and scrappy play. Brisbane argued desperately against many calls made against them and a hostile Razorbacks crowd ‘booed’ every time the away team challenged a call.
Forward Cameron Rigby led West Sydney with 17 points on 6 for 8 shooting from the field. Centre Pero Vaslijevic added 12 points and 8 rebounds and Point Guard James Taylor had 16 points and 4 assists. Substitute and import Nick Horvath was impressive as he chipped in 7 points and rejected 4 shots.
Rigby was ecstatic about his team’s first win, “All the bookies really looked down at us and said we weren’t going anywhere. To beat a team like Brisbane is a great feeling.”
The home side came out of the off-season on fire as they quickly built a 14-2 lead after a few minutes of play. Brisbane never recovered as they trailed by 11 at the end of the first period.
The Bullets tried to mount a comeback behind the efforts of Rucker who made back to back triples in the second quarter. The Bullets came within 6 points before the Razorbacks immediately scored their way back into the lead. After a halftime ribbing by Joey Wright, the Bullets yet again failed to deliver as West Sydney held onto their lead and at times led by as much as 19.
In a poorly played final quarter, the Bullets’ chance of a comeback was quashed as they missed shot after shot after shot. Brisbane missed 12 out of 16 shots in the final 10 minutes of the game as they were outscored 19-11 by the home team. Horvath was instrumental in the final period scoring all of his points and blocking three shots in quick session in that quarter.
Forward Mick Hill left the game early with a foot injury. Medical staff didn't let him back on the bench again.
The highlight of the game, however, belonged to the Bullets’ two man tandem of Black and Rucker. On a fast break led by the Bullets’ captain, he dribbled right past the basket and threw the ball above his head allowing Black to run in for the alley-oop jam.
The Brisbane Bullets will play the Hunter Pirates tomorrow night at 8pm EST.
Brisbane Bullets 52 (Rucker 14, Brannen, Black 8, Bradtke 7)
West Sydney Razorbacks 73 (Rigby 17, Taylor 16, Vaslijevic 12)
@ Sydney Olympic Park Sports Centre. Crowd: 3205
The Aussie will reign supreme in the dynasty storis section soon enough.
