A FINAL quarter blitz from CJ Bruton has handed Brisbane Bullets a hard-fought 116-107 win over Perth Wildcats in their NBL clash at the Brisbane Convention Centre.
Bruton scored 15 points in the fourth quarter, including three three-pointers, as the Bullets shrugged off a determined Wildcats to claim their third win of the season.
Bruton finished with 25 points, with Ebi Ere shooting a team-high 27 and Dusty Rychart adding 18.
For Perth, Shawn Redhage scored a game-high 34 points with Peter Crawford adding 23.
The night started on a high note for the home side when captain Sam Mackinnon and the retired Mark Bradtke lifted the NBL trophy from last season and flew the premiership flag.
Perth started strongly leading 17-14 after seven minutes, before taking a 25-23 lead at the first break.
The Bullets gained some impetus in the second quarter through Ere and Rychart to lead 54-48 at the main break.
Perth took control early in the third quarter with Redhage leading the way, scoring 14 points in the period, with Rashad Phillips throwing assists at will.
However the Bullets came back to lead 84-80 at three-quarter-time.
Perth’s physical play was putting the Bullets off their game, however a purple patch from Bruton in the final quarter sealed the win for Brisbane.
AAP
Source: foxsports.com.au
