IT has been the perfect preseason performance from the Brisbane Bullets, who won a third consecutive exhibition match on Thursday night, this time defeating the SEM Phoenix by six points ahead of the 2024/25 National Basketball League (NBL) season.

Coming into the clash at Wangaratta Sports and Aquatic Centre, the Bullets had racked up wins over the Shanghai Sharks and Melbourne United in the past couple of weeks, and had shown tremendous signs of improvement on a disappointing campaign last season.

On the other hand, it was the first look at the Phoenix, who had endured a roster overhaul and a head coaching change over the off-season. However, they had built a starting lineup that was stacked with offensive options, and loomed as one of the best scoring teams of the entire competition.

Although it was a tight finish to the match, it was Brisbane that emerged victorious to the tune of six points to cap off an eye-catching preseason campaign.

South East Melbourne Phoenix (86) def. Brisbane Bullets (92)

The Bullets picked up exactly where they left off from the win over United, storming out of the gates in the first quarter to take a commanding lead in the opening 10 minutes. At quarter time, Brisbane led 25-12 and had complete control of the match thanks to some handy work scoring the ball inside the paint.

The Phoenix settled as the game went on, building chemistry with their new lineup and remaining in the hunt over the course of the second period. They went on an 9-2 run to close out the first half and cut the deficit to five points at the main break, showcasing how deadly this lineup can be if firing on all cylinders.

That momentum continued for South East Melbourne coming out of the main break, sharing the offensive load to overrun the Bullets after half time. Despite a dominant start, the Bullets found themselves trailing by one at the final change, as the Phoenix’s newly constructed scoring punch began to have a massive impact on the game.

Although it was the Phoenix who struck the first blow coming out of three quarter time to stretch the lead further, the Bullets rallied in the final minutes of the game. Brisbane finally found some success from behind the arc after an inaccurate showing for most of the contest, and wiped away the deficit in seemingly no time at all. The Bullets got home to a six-point triumph to remain unbeaten ahead of the 2024/25 fixture.

The defining factor in the match was the Bullets’ big men and the impact they had on the contest. Starting center Tyrell Harrison looks set for a breakout season if preseason form is anything to go off, and excelled yet again en route to 24 points and nine rebounds on 9/14 shooting from the field, and should thrive as a consistent part of the starting lineup.

Hot on his tail was Next Star Rocco Zikarsky, who pulled out a perfect performance off the bench, posting 16 points on 6/6 shooting from the field alongside seven boards and two blocks as he looks set for a big campaign in his draft year.

For the Phoenix, Joe Wieskamp looked the most dangerous and had 14 points (3/6 3PT) and five rebounds in an exciting showing.