Saturday, September 3, 2005 – 10:45 pm
William Sit, Sportal
Derek Rucker led a spirited Brisbane Bullets comeback in the fourth quarter but the team crumbled to the Hunter Pirates in the extra session. Captain Rucker scored 11 of his 25 points in the final quarter of the game, Rucker had 8 in overtime. After the Bullets built a four point lead early in overtime, Hunter called a time out and never trailed after that.
The Bullets fell behind quickly at the start of the game to the Pirates as both teams played very sloppy basketball. By halftime, the Bullets trailed Hunter by 10. Brisbane kept it close though in the third period and kept the margin Hunter had over them at single digits.
Coming out of intermission, Rucker made sure he got his point across to the opponents. His two triples in quick succession showed the Pirates that he meant business. Stephen Black’s three pointer from near the right baseline helped tie the two teams up with half the quarter left to play. Then, the teams traded baskets until Hunter finally broke ahead on a Mike Helms’ lay up. Bullets’ guard Stephen Black fouled out with 2 minutes to go.
With Hunter up 61-57, Rucker scored another trey with only half a minute remaining. The Bullets were lucky that Brad Davidson missed one of his free throws that meant that Hunter only held a slim 2 point advantage over the away side. Derek Rucker passed to Sam MacKinnon and he tried a shot from long range.
It was a miss but Bobby Brannen was able to grab the board and pass it out for Rucker to drive back in. He was hit on the attempt and with 11.2 seconds left, Rucker sunk both free throws to tie the game once more. Mike Helms missed a shot to win the game.
Rucker came out into the extra period and made a driving lay up before assisting Sam Mackinnon for a jumper from the baseline. Hunter called for a break and came out on fire with Helms scoring three shots in a row. Aaron Trahair was money as he scored 8 of his 11 points in the overtime period.
Rucker led his side with 25 points, 7 assists and made 7 three point shots, although he did commit 9 turnovers. Mark Bradtke had double double of 15 points and 10 rebounds while holding opposition centre Ben Melmeth to 0 out of 5 shooting.
Bobby Brannen had an impressive all-around effort finishing on 12 points, 9 rebounds and 5 assists.
Mike Helms top scored for the game with 28 points while backcourt mate Brad Davidson picked up 18 points, 5 assists and 3 steals. Big man Melmeth grabbed 10 rebounds.
Pirates’ coach Adrian Hurley was happy about his team’s win and labelled guard Helms as the difference-maker. “He (Helms) really made sure we stayed ahead of the Bullets and kept it that way in overtime. Nothing like a close and exciting win to start the season!”
Bullets’ Stephen Black was disappointed in that Brisbane lost back to back games and was weary of the fact that Brisbane were to play their third straight away game in Melbourne next week. “The league must not want us at home for some reason, we (Bullets) just need to play a little harder next game.”
The ever ‘tough-to-impress’ Joey Wright was fuming in the team locker room after the game, “Derek was great for us. No one else really played that well, if we play like this for the rest of the season, I’d rather quit my job.”
Brisbane Bullets 76 (Rucker 25, Bradtke 15, Brannen, MacKinnon 12)
Hunter Pirates 82 (Helms 28, Davidson 18, Trahair 11)
@ Newcastle Entertainment Centre. Crowd: 2356
finally got a win too good to see.
