Bradford Dragons suffered a tough home loss to the Reading Rockets, going down 77-106 at Calderdale Collefe on Saturday night. Despite a strong effort from key players, the Dragons were unable to match the Rockets’ offensive firepower.
First Quarter: Rockets Take Early Control
The game started competitively, with the Dragons briefly holding a 2-0 lead. However, Reading quickly responded with a dominant scoring run, finishing the quarter up 34-22. The Rockets’ ability to convert from beyond the arc and capitalize on fast-break opportunities set the tone early.
Second Quarter: Dragons Struggle to Keep Up
Despite a resilient effort from Micah Savery-Richards and Kofi Josephs, who provided much-needed scoring, the Dragons struggled to slow down Reading’s offensive momentum. The visitors extended their lead to 17 points at halftime (55-38), fueled by efficient shooting from Mitch Clarke and Victor Olarerin.
Third Quarter: Sulcs and Whelan Keep Dragons in the Fight
Captain Rihards Sulcs put on an impressive display, scoring 22 points on 87.5% shooting, while Jordan Whelan added 21 points of his own. Their efforts kept the Dragons competitive in the third quarter, but Reading’s superior depth was evident. The Rockets’ bench outscored Bradford’s 33-5, making a significant impact.
Final Quarter: Rockets Seal the Victory
Reading continued their dominant performance into the final period, stretching their lead to as much as 31 points. The Dragons showed fight until the final whistle, but the Rockets’ efficient offense (54.8% FG, 41.2% from three) proved too much to overcome.
Key Stats:
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Rihards Sulcs: 22 points, 5 rebounds, 88.9% FT
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Jordan Whelan: 21 points, 60% 3PT
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Micah Savery-Richards: 14 points, 3 rebounds
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Kofi Josephs: 12 points, 6 assists
Despite the disappointing result, the Dragons will look to regroup and bounce back in their next fixture against Essex Rebels. With strong performances from key players and lessons learned from this matchup, they’ll be aiming to return to winning ways.
Stay tuned for updates and support the Dragons as they push forward in the NBL Division One season!
