Hungry Jack's NBL
Cook, Batemon lift Bullets to Blitz triumph
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By Chris Pike for NBL.com.au
Keandre Cook had a breakout performance and James Batemon hit a final dagger as the Brisbane Bullets beat the Cairns Taipans 85-82 to close the NBL Blitz by winning the Loggins-Bruton Cup.
Brisbane had already scored wins on the Gold Coast this week against the Tasmania JackJumpers and Melbourne United, but needed the win on Saturday to close the Blitz or else the Perth Wildcats would win the crown.
The Bullets did lead by as much 17 points early in the second half, but the Snakes were hunting a first win and threw everything at it.
New import point guard Batemon was the star of the final minute firstly with a huge three to put Brisbane back up five. Then he picked the pocket of Dillon Stith on the final possession with the Bullets winning and claiming the Loggins-Bruton Cup.
Tyrell Harrison had another standout showing to claim the Ray Borner Medal finishing with 16 points and seven rebounds on 7/10 shooting.
Keandre Cook top-scored for Brisbane with 20 points, four rebounds and three steals with Casey Prather contributing 14 points and seven boards, Isaac White nine points on 3/3 shooting, and Batemon nine points and four assists.
Jonah Antonio put up 16 points with four three-pointers for the Taipans with Dillon Stith showing he's ready for another NBL opportunity with 16 points and five rebounds on 7/9 shooting.
AK Gak delivered 12 points and seven rebounds with Kody Stattmann contributing 10 points, three boards and three steals. That was with Rob Edwards playing just 10 minutes, Sam Waardenburg four, Tanner Groves 10 and Pedro Bradshaw eight.
The Bullets came into the last match up at the Blitz having beaten last season's Grand Finalists Tasmania and Melbourne, and even with Josh Bannan and Sam McDaniel still out, they started well.
The Snakes were without Taran Armstrong and Kyle Adnam themselves in the back court, and Brisbane put up 26 points in each of the first two quarters to go into the half leading 52-40 despite a Jonah Antonio three ball on the buzzer for Cairns from the Kmart logo.
Keandre Cook had a breakout first half performance for Brisbane with 14 points with 3/5 three-point shooting while the signs continue to be excited from Casey Prather who had eight points in nine minutes.
The Bullets did get out to a 15-point edge to start the second half but then the Taipans warmed to the task nicely and three balls to Alex Higgins-Titsha, Kyrin Galloway, Akoldah Gak, Antonio and Dillon Stith had them within a point at three quarter-time.
It set up a fascinating finish with the Snakes hunting a first win at the Blitz and the Bullets needing the win to claim the Loggins-Bruton Cup, and Brisbane scored six straight points midway through the fourth to be back up eight.
However, Brisbane got the job done in a thrilling finish with both teams now heading to Perth for HoopsFest.
They are both in action next Saturday with the Bullets taking on the New Zealand Breakers before the Taipans take on the Illawarra Hawks.
HUNGRY JACK'S NBL BLITZ
BRISBANE BULLETS 85 (Cook 20, Harrison 16, Prather 14)
CAIRNS TAIPANS 82 (Antonio 16, Stith 16, Gak 12)
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