BRADFORD Dragons entertained Manchester Magic at Calderdale College’s Inspire Centre last Saturday in Division One of the National Basketball League, and won the Roses battle in style.
Manchester were ahead after the opening quarter, but the Dragons dominated thereafter and enjoyed a huge 107-81 victory.
Newly-promoted Manchester are fighting against a quick return to the second tier, having now won only four of their 20 league games this season, while this victory saw Bradford sneak back into eighth and the play-offs.
A bright start from Magic saw them race into a 7-0 lead, but Rihards Sulcs put the Dragons on the scoreboard, and the prolific Justin Williams dragged the hosts level at 14-14.
But Manchester shared some impressive treys around, and reached the first scheduled break with a 28-22 advantage.
The second period opened with scores from Micah Savery-Richards (pictured above, in black, by Kristelle Templonuevo) and Williams, before Ricky Fetske sank a two-point jump shot to put Bradford 35-34 in front.
The American power forward immediately followed that up with a trey and there was no looking back for the home side after that.
Sulcs' layup, with just over two minutes of the half left, put the home side's lead up to 46-36 and, despite a mini comeback by the Mancunians, the Dragons finished the half with an eight-point advantage.
After the break, the Dragons continued to pile on the pressure, taking the third quarter with ease and ending it with an 81-63 lead.
Savery-Richards increased that advantage to 20 ponts in the opening play of the final period, and when he sank a turnaround jump shot in the fifth minute of the quarter, his side were 91-65 in front.
However, the loudest cheer of the night was saved to the very end when, with only three seconds left, 16-year-old Dragon Camron Simpson hit a three, sending the home crowd into raptures.
Player of the game and top scorer for the Dragons was Savery-Richards with 28 points.
Williams and Whelan contributed 18 and 15 points respectively to the winning tally, while Fetske registered another double-double with 14 points and 11 rebounds.
The Dragons travel to Essex University Arena tomorrow to face up against the 10th-placed Essex Rebels, the first meeting between the two sides this season. Tip-off is at 6:30pm.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here