Bradford Dragons Edge Essex Rebels in Nail-Biting Finish
Bradford Dragons secured a dramatic 84-83 victory over the Essex Rebels this weekend at Calderdale College on Sunday afternoon. In a game that saw 14 lead changes and 12 ties, the Dragons showed resilience to claim a crucial win in front of their home crowd.
First Quarter: A Fast-Paced Start
The game opened at a high tempo, with both teams trading baskets early on. Essex took a slight edge, leading 24-23 after the first quarter, as captain Luke Busumbru led the charge with aggressive drives to the basket. Bradford’s Justin Williams responded with strong inside scoring, keeping the Dragons within touching distance.
Second Quarter: Dragons Gain Momentum
Bradford found their rhythm in the second quarter, outscoring Essex 24-17 to take a 47-41 lead into halftime. Micah Savery-Richards was instrumental, contributing 20 points and 9 rebounds, while Jordan Whelan and Kofi Josephs added crucial buckets. The Dragons’ defense tightened up, forcing Essex into tough shots and taking control of the tempo.
Third Quarter: Essex Fight Back
Essex responded after the break, with Emmanuel Kanwei dominating inside, finishing with a game-high 27 points and 12 rebounds. Despite the Rebels’ push, Bradford managed to hold on to a slim lead, heading into the final quarter with a 65-61 advantage.
Final Quarter: A Thrilling Finish
The game remained on a knife’s edge in the final minutes. Essex momentarily took the lead, but clutch free throws from Williams and Savery-Richards kept the Dragons in front. With just seconds remaining, Essex had a chance to snatch victory, but Bradford’s defense held firm, securing a hard-fought 84-83 win.
Key Stats:
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Justin Williams: 23 points, 3 rebounds, 80% FT
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Micah Savery-Richards: 20 points, 9 rebounds, 80% FT
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Kofi Josephs: 13 points, 4 rebounds, 100% FT
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Jordan Whelan: 13 points, 4 rebounds
With this win, the Dragons bounce back from their previous defeat and will look to build momentum in their next fixture. Stay tuned for more action as the team continues their push in the NBL Division One!
