Bradford Dragons eventually ran out comfortable 79–63 winners against Team Northumbria at the Dragons' den at Bradford College to make it 11 wins from 11 matches in English Basketball League Division Two.

With both defences working hard from the start of the game, Dragons shaded the first period to lead 13-11 as coach Chris Mellor ran their bench early in the game.

The scoreboard picked up a little in the second stanza as both teams fought for defensive control, but with Zack Kelly on his way to his first double double of the campaign, Dragons led 34–26 at half- time.

Midway through the third quarter, Northumbria tied the game at 38-38, only for the Dragons' press to finally exert control, forcing three quick turnovers and scores to give them a 54–45 lead at the final break.

In the fourth period, although Northumbria dragged it back to a six-point ball game midway through the quarter, Dragons' defensive pressure forced more Northumbria turnovers and another Dragons run as Rihard Sulcs made an extraordinary long scoop lay-up shot on the way to a convincing victory.

Mellor said: "I was happy with the way we started, even though it was a very low-scoring game but as the first half wore on, Northumbria started to find their range and also hurt us under the boards.

"We played better in the second half and also managed to put a couple of ten-point runs together which really sealed the game."

For Dragons, Sulcs scored 16, Kelly scored 14 and pulled down 13 boards and the brothers Pabrieza scored 12 points each.

Elsewhere for Dragons, their men's second team beat visitors Menwith Hill Cavaliers 82–42 in the Leeds Premier League but then lost 98-75 in the Leeds Handicap Cup at Deighton Demons.

Dragons-3 men lost 76–38 at York Vikings but with Dragons under-14s and under-18s without a game, Dragons' under-16s hammered visitors Scarborough Seahawks 110-61.

Dragon’s next game is the long haul to play Eastside Eagles in London on Saturday (2pm).

Places are available at £10 on the team bus, leaving at 7.30am from Bradford College. Contact Dragons to book a place.

Dragons' next home game is English Basketball League Division Two game on Saturday, February 12 against London United at Trinity Green Sports Hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JE (6.15pm). Admission is £3 or £1.50 for concessions.

Dragons' under-16s play Durham Wildcats at 2.15pm and Dragons' under-18s play Durham Wildcats at 4.15pm in the warm-up games.