 | Dragons’ supporters were treated to an early Christmas present on Saturday evening, when they watched their side beat the previously unbeaten Team Solent Kestrels (86-83), in the Dragons’ Den, courtesy of a spectacular three-point buzzer beater by Rihards Šulcs. Prior to Saturday’s fixture, the Kestrels were the only unbeaten team in the top flight of the National Basketball League this season, having clocked up an impressive ten straight wins. |
Bradford meanwhile had suffered a recent downturn in fortunes, having lost at home to Team Newcastle University followed by a heavy defeat at Thames Valley Cavaliers. Not only had the team recently lost the services of their first choice point guard, Drexler Clark, but they were also without their remaining American, Ricky Fetske (ankle), whilst Rafi Saipe was unavailable due to personal commitments. This left the Dragons with a somewhat depleted roster of just seven players, making their prospects of a win against the table toppers even more unlikely.
The game started as a slow burner, with both teams spurning their opening shots on the basket. With just over a minute played, Allie Fullah but the first points on the board, giving Bradford the early lead. This was also immediately overturned when Elliott Dadds scored a three.
The game started as a slow burner, with both teams spurning their opening shots on the basket. With just over a minute played, Allie Fullah but the first points on the board, giving Bradford the early lead. This was also immediately overturned when Elliott Dadds scored a three.
| The teams continued to trade baskets, although at a couple of points in the opening quarter, the Dragons did manage to establish a five-point lead. However, the Kestrels fought back on each occasion and at the end of that first period the home side held the slightest of leads, 23-22. The restart produced very much of the same, with the two teams cancelling each other out for most of the second quarter. |  |
A two-point layup by Joaquin Calvo, gave Bradford a lead of six (36-30) just before the half way point of the period, but once again they were unable to hold back the league leaders, who quickly pulled the game back to a tie, before taking the lead for themselves.
A minute before half time, Dadds scored another two to give the visitors a three-point advantage, although thirty seconds later Jermayne Laing pulled it back to a single point at the other end.
With six seconds remaining, Tayo Oyefusi saw his three-point attempt bounce back off the rim and Laing was on hand to pick up the defensive rebound. He laid the ball across to Šulcs, who unleashed a speculative attempt from the half way line, exactly as the buzzer sounded. It seemed to take an age, but the ball rebounded off the backboard and into the basket, sending Bradford back to the locker room with a two-point advantage (41-39).
Bradford’s confidence was clearly boosted, and at the start of the second half they went on an unanswered ten-point scoring run, putting themselves firmly in control at 51-39.
As we have seen so many times before, basketball can turn very quickly, as was the case here when the visitors suddenly clicked into gear and, with just over three minutes to play, Solent’s Nick Lewis sank a two-point layup to put the visitors back in front (53-54).
With a minute of the period remaining, Solent were up by four, but a couple of free throws from Matthew Armstrong and a successful jump shot by Andreas Lycoudis tied the game (59-59). With just a single second on the clock, Šulcs again had the final shot, but this time he couldn’t get it to drop.
With the scores level, the game was poised for an exciting final quarter, although just how exciting no-one could have possibly imagined. Travis Charles sank an early two, to put the visitors ahead, but Fullah quickly levelled things again. Lycoudis then sank a couple of three-pointers, sandwiching a two from the same player, putting the Dragons eight up (69-61).
Lewis pulled the game back to three, before Lycoudis continued his streak with another two. Charles then cancelled out Lycoudis’ shot, only for Šulcs to restore the five-point difference (73-68).
With just two and a half minutes of the game remaining, Herm Senor levelled the tie with a three-point jump shot for the visitors, before Charles swooped to put the Kestrels ahead (75-77).
Twelve seconds on the clock, and Senor sank two from the line to put the Kestrels three clear (80-83) and the game looked to have slipped from the Dragons’ grasp. However, with just two seconds remaining, Šulcs hit a three to level the game and it looked as though the teams were, unbelievably, heading towards an extra five minutes overtime.
Desperate to try and steal the win in normal time, Dadds rushed forwards clattering into Šulcs on the half way line. Although the spectators could see that it was a clear charging foul, the referee – who was right next to the incident – appeared to see nothing wrong and the buzzer sounded for the end of normal time.
In stepped the referee from the other side of the court, and after a lengthy discussion the infringement was called and the clock reset to a single second, with Bradford in possession from the side line.
With six seconds remaining, Tayo Oyefusi saw his three-point attempt bounce back off the rim and Laing was on hand to pick up the defensive rebound. He laid the ball across to Šulcs, who unleashed a speculative attempt from the half way line, exactly as the buzzer sounded. It seemed to take an age, but the ball rebounded off the backboard and into the basket, sending Bradford back to the locker room with a two-point advantage (41-39).
Bradford’s confidence was clearly boosted, and at the start of the second half they went on an unanswered ten-point scoring run, putting themselves firmly in control at 51-39.
As we have seen so many times before, basketball can turn very quickly, as was the case here when the visitors suddenly clicked into gear and, with just over three minutes to play, Solent’s Nick Lewis sank a two-point layup to put the visitors back in front (53-54).
With a minute of the period remaining, Solent were up by four, but a couple of free throws from Matthew Armstrong and a successful jump shot by Andreas Lycoudis tied the game (59-59). With just a single second on the clock, Šulcs again had the final shot, but this time he couldn’t get it to drop.
With the scores level, the game was poised for an exciting final quarter, although just how exciting no-one could have possibly imagined. Travis Charles sank an early two, to put the visitors ahead, but Fullah quickly levelled things again. Lycoudis then sank a couple of three-pointers, sandwiching a two from the same player, putting the Dragons eight up (69-61).
Lewis pulled the game back to three, before Lycoudis continued his streak with another two. Charles then cancelled out Lycoudis’ shot, only for Šulcs to restore the five-point difference (73-68).
With just two and a half minutes of the game remaining, Herm Senor levelled the tie with a three-point jump shot for the visitors, before Charles swooped to put the Kestrels ahead (75-77).
Twelve seconds on the clock, and Senor sank two from the line to put the Kestrels three clear (80-83) and the game looked to have slipped from the Dragons’ grasp. However, with just two seconds remaining, Šulcs hit a three to level the game and it looked as though the teams were, unbelievably, heading towards an extra five minutes overtime.
Desperate to try and steal the win in normal time, Dadds rushed forwards clattering into Šulcs on the half way line. Although the spectators could see that it was a clear charging foul, the referee – who was right next to the incident – appeared to see nothing wrong and the buzzer sounded for the end of normal time.
In stepped the referee from the other side of the court, and after a lengthy discussion the infringement was called and the clock reset to a single second, with Bradford in possession from the side line.
 | With no time for anything else, Lycoudis played the ball in to Sulcs, who again released his shot right on the buzzer and watched it fall cleanly into the basket, for three, sending the team and supporters alike into an absolute frenzy. It was an unbelievable ending to an incredible game of basketball, with both teams contributing to the evening’s entertainment. |
| Šulcs deservedly picked up the University of Bradford Player of the Game award, whilst his 30 points, 13 rebounds and 5 assists also earned him the National Basketball League’s Player of the Week award. Lycoudis contributed 18 points for the hosts, whilst Laing also hit double figures with 13 points. However, it has to be noted that all seven players made valuable contributions for the Dragons, in a solid team performance. |  |
Lewis sank 25 points for the Kestrels, assisted by Senor (19 points) and Charles (17 points).
Having had time to digest the game, Bradford’s coach, Chris Mellor commented, “It was an excellent performance from everybody, with an absolute crazy finish.
“We defended and rebounded well, and I was pleased with our offensive tempo the whole forty minutes.
“It looked an impossible task, three down, to win in regulation time with just four seconds remaining, but Rihards had other ideas and that was just amazing.”
Basketball now takes a short break over the Christmas period, before restarting again on 5th January. The Dragons first three fixtures of 2019 are all away from home, with their next home fixture being the National Trophy Quarter Final against Worthing Thunder on Sunday 27th January.
Photographs © Alex Daniel Photography
Having had time to digest the game, Bradford’s coach, Chris Mellor commented, “It was an excellent performance from everybody, with an absolute crazy finish.
“We defended and rebounded well, and I was pleased with our offensive tempo the whole forty minutes.
“It looked an impossible task, three down, to win in regulation time with just four seconds remaining, but Rihards had other ideas and that was just amazing.”
Basketball now takes a short break over the Christmas period, before restarting again on 5th January. The Dragons first three fixtures of 2019 are all away from home, with their next home fixture being the National Trophy Quarter Final against Worthing Thunder on Sunday 27th January.
Photographs © Alex Daniel Photography
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