DRAGONS LOSE 68 – 72 AWAY AT LEAGUE LEADERS DERBY
Published on: 19th March 2012
Bradford Dragons led for most the game at league leaders Derby before a final surge by the home team saw them go into the lead with 5 minutes to go as Dragons lost 68 – 72. Dragons kept a tight rein on the league leaders as they edged to a 16 - 14 lead at the first break. Dragons extended their lead in the second period as the defence restricted Derby’s outside game to lead 37 – 31 at half time. In the third stanza, Dragons threatened to pull away and built up a 16 point lead only to let the home team fight back in to the game but Dragons still led 55 – 53 at the final break. With both teams battling for the win, Dragons edged ahead by 5 but Derby fought back, forcing Dragons turnovers and tied the game with 5 minutes to go. Derby pulled ahead as Dragons missed key shots from the charity stripe and although Dragons got to within 2 points of Derby in the last minute, they were unable to close the gap and lost 68 – 72 on the night.
Dragons Coach Chris Mellor said after the game, ‘It’s a disappointing loss, we did most things well but turnovers down the stretch were our downfall, combined with some poor offensive decisions. They dug deep when they were down and a couple of their younger guys stepped up big in the second half and made some big plays’.
For Dragons, Vance Silcott had another double double with 21 points and 15 rebounds, Rihard Sulcs also scored a double double with 16 points and 10 rebounds and Chris McGrew made 13 points.
Elsewhere for Dragons, Dragons 2 men lost 71 – 73 at home to Liverpool in their final EBL division 4 game of the season, Bradford College Dragons U18 won 93 – 69 away at Scarborough Seahawks in their EBL U18 Conference game, Bradford College Dragons U16 lost 68 – 71 at Sefton Stars in their EBL U16 conference game and Bradford Dragons U14 lost 49 – 63 at York Eagles in their EBL U14 boys game. After beating local rivals Bradford Maroons 76 – 18 at home to win the Leeds and District women’s league at the first attempt, Dragons women’s team stormed through to win 63 – 57 at home against East Kent Blitz in a thrilling game in the semifinal of the first ever women’s National Founder Cup competition. Dragons women now play in their first final of the women’s National Founders Cup on Sunday 1st April in Nottingham.
Dragons next travel to play Westminster Warriors on Saturday 24th March at 6pm at the Moberly Sports Centre.
Dragons next home game is against Tees Valley Mohawks on Sunday 25th March at 4.15pm in Dragons Den in the Trinity Green sports hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JE in the EBL division 1 league. Admission is £5 adults, £2.50 under 16s, concessions and students and family tickets [adults + 2 children] are £10. Admission is free for Dragons club members.
Dragons are grateful for the support of Napoleons Casino and the Westleigh Hotel.
For more details on Bradford Dragons go to www.bradforddragons.co.uk or visit Bradford Dragons for the Community on Facebook
Bradford Eurocamp takes place between Monday 23/7/12 and Friday 27/7/12 based at Bradford College, visit www.bradfordeurocamp.co.uk for more information and contact info@bradforddragons.co.uk to order a free colour brochure.
