AN IMPRESSIVE performance off the bench from Kouat Noi was the highlight to kick off HoopsFest out west in the National Basketball League (NBL) as the Sydney Kings defeated the Brisbane Bullets by 15 points.

The clash kicked off the HoopsFest round on Thursday night, with all of the weekend’s action set to take place in Perth in a massive display of both NBL and WNBL action. The Kings came into the clash as favourites despite missing some big names through injury including Xavier Cooks and Matthew Dellavedova, while new signing Torrey Craig was not ready to suit up for Sydney.

The Kings may have been undermanned, but the Bullets were facing the same problem, and could not keep up with the contenders when the two sides locked horns at RAC Arena. Sydney’s depth was on show in a big way as Brisbane lacked the firepower to keep up after an 18-3 run in the third term blew the game open and allowed the Kings to cruise home to their 16th win of the season.

With the Kings being without some key names, someone still needed to step up if they were to get the win, and Noi answered the call, producing a massive double-double off the bench to deliver the spark Sydney needed.

Sydney Kings (95) def. Brisbane Bullets (80)

Kouat Noi – 24 points, 10 rebounds, one assist

Remaining Sydney’s biggest weapon off the bench despite there being plenty of outs for the Kings, Noi was simply instrumental in the win out west, providing an integral injection of offence for the victors in the absence of some big names.

With the likes of Dellavedova and Cooks missing, Noi’s role increased, asked to step up as one of the key offensive contributors alongside Kendric Davis. The MVP candidate was his usual influential self with 23 points on an impressive 10/14 shooting from the field to go with 10 assists, but it was the level of output the Kings have come to expect from him.

The true difference in the match came from Noi, who exploded for his best performance of the season, making the most of the opportunity he was given in terms of offensive responsibility. By the time the buzzer sounded to end the first half, Noi already had 17 points to his name and had established himself as the most influential factor in the match.

The forward was willing to fire off plenty of shots from behind the arc, showing confidence in his scoring ability from range and knocking down six triples for the match while shooting 60 per cent from behind the arc. His scoring punch was something that the Kings were able to rely on and held them in good stead against the Bullets.

In the end, he finished with a game-high 24 points on an efficient 9/16 shooting from the field, taking the most shots of any player on the court in a tremendous performance, also pulling down 10 defensive rebounds to record a double-double. His increased role paid dividends for the Kings as they continued their charge up the standings in the back half of the season.