The Pigs have backed up after their last night’s pre-season win over the Hunter Pirates to score an impressive come-from-behind victory over the highly fancied Brisbane Bullets at Coffs Harbour this evening.
The Pigs bounced back after trailing as much as 17 points in the third quarter to win by 94-91. Aaron Trahair top scored with 29 points, Luke McMillan added 17, Scott McGregor 15 and Sam Mackinnon 14.
Coach Mark Watkins was inspired by his team’s spirit:: “I was very pleased with the way we came back and the fighting qualities that the team showed.”
The Razorbacks’ next trial is on 15 September against the Wollongong Hawks at Thornleigh (Sydney).
PRE SEASON DATES/RESULTS
28 Aug - Hunter 97, Razorbacks 81 @ Hills
3 Sept - Hunter 104, Razorbacks 123 @ Grafton
4 Sept - Brisbane 91, Razorbacks 94 @ Coffs Harbour
After leading for most of the match, the Bullets bench players outlasted a surging Pirates team to win 92-86.
No official stats were kept for the match, but Steven Black & Kevin Freeman both kept the scorebench busy for Brisbane despite not playing a lot of minutes. Freeman has shown great form in both preseason matches so far and looks to be fully fit, exhibiting a soft touch around the hoop as well the extraordinary athleticism for which he is reknowned.
Geordie Cullen was best for Hunter, even though he exploded in the 2nd half with an unsportsmanlike foul, followed by a technical foul. That put Steven Black to the line to shoot four free throws, and he hit them all to put the Bullets up by 16 points with possession.
Bench players, Adam Darragh, Michael Shaw, Peni Nasalo, Miles Pearce & Matt Smith played much of the 4th quarter as the Bullets starters were rested.
Peni Nasalo performed well in extended minutes and clinched the game with a steal and a pair of free throws in the closing seconds after Hunter had closed the gap to just 2 points with a minute remaining.
For Brisbane, both Bobby Brannen & Mick Hill were rested with ankle injuries, and Derek Rucker took the game off to give Adam Darragh and Michael Shaw a chance to run the point guard spot. Mick Hill sustained an as yet undiagnosed ankle injury in Saturday nights game in Coffs Harbour. He will undergo an MRI Monday in Brisbane to determine the extent of the injury.
Good ol' Australian basketball coverage means it's near impossible to find other pre-season results.
felt like a 8yr old kid mentioning it too