AFTER a forgettable past month for the seemingly unbeatable ladder leaders turned drifters down the table, Melbourne United secured a much needed win over Brisbane Bullets by five points at Brisbane Entertainment Centre. It was never completely clinical, but it was enough to hold off a second half comeback and finish with a 92-87 result.

Melbourne United (92) def. Brisbane Bullets (87)

Funnily enough despite the two side’s relatively opposite seasons to-date, it was Brisbane coming off a rare win, now with Darryl McDonald at the helm, defeating New Zealand Breakers on December 22, while United slumped to a forgettable 19-point defeat to Tasmania JackJumpers a day later, their fifth loss in six games.

However by half-time in the Round 14 match, it was clear United just had that class edge. Going toe-for-toe with Brisbane in the first term, the visitors put the foot down in the second term and dried up the Bullets’ looks to take a 59-45 lead into the main break. It was not a done deal by any means, but it was a headstart that the Bullets – who earlier in the season had struggled to score – had to find a way to make up.

Life under McDonald – at least for now – resembles a Bullets side willing to dig deep in turmoil, and the home team did fight back to reduce the deficit to a single-digit margin at the last change. That comeback did not stop at the break, with Brisbane hitting the front with five minutes on the clock thanks to a Tanner Krebs reverse layup.

Melbourne had lead by as much as 17 points at one stage, but Brisbane piled on 41-25 in the opening 15 minutes of the second half. Sensing the game was in danger, United lifted when required, and Kyle Bowen – who had replaced the injured Finn Delany in the starting lineup – nailed a crucial layup. Milton Doyle settled the nerves 20 seconds later, and when Krebs hit a long-range jumper with 3:25 on the clock, it was a little more on United terms.

They battened down the hatches from there, with just one point apiece across the last three minutes, and countless shots missed, which suited United just fine. The visitors were able to come away with the five-point victory, 92-87 in what was a much needed victory to try and grab a top two spot in the 2025/26 season.

Veteran Chris Goulding lead from the front, stepping up from a quiet game last match to nail three of six from long-range and finish with 19 points, a team-high. He was well supported though, as Tyson Walker got it down on both ends, making 16 points and snatching a ridiculous seven steals across the course of the night. Bowen (!4 points, eight rebounds and two assists) and Krebs (12 points, four rebounds) both stood up, while Fabijan Krslovic (five points, seven rebounds, six assists, three steals and two blocks) was setting everyone up and working hard defensively.

For the Bullets, Tyrell Harrison (23 points, 11 rebounds) was huge once again, while imports Javon Freeman-Liberty (21 points, seven rebounds,m three assists and three steals) and Terry Taylor (15 points, six assists and five rebounds) helped with the bulk of Brisbane’s scoring.

It was a tough pill to swallow for the Bullets who were so close, yet so far, but now head down to Sydney where they take on a red-hot Kings outfit on Wednesday. Melbourne United have an extended break until January 3 when they face Tasmania JackJumpers on the Apple Isle in what is a crucial contest for top two aspirations.