Goulding Catches Fire to Lead United Over Bullets

Monday, January 2, 2023

Chris Goulding shook off a recent illness and a cold first half to shoot Melbourne United to a critical and hard earned 99-86 New Year's Day road win against the Brisbane Bullets.

Both Goulding and fellow veteran David Barlow missed the Christmas Day loss for Melbourne to the Sydney Kings, but were back on Sunday at Nissan Arena showing their class with United having the fight hard to overcome a Bullets team missing Aron Baynes.

As a team, Melbourne only shot 3/17 from three-point range in the opening half and Goulding missed his first eight attempts, but he nailed all four that he tried in the second.

Barlow also went 3/5 from downtown including a crucial one to stop the Bullets' run to start the fourth quarter.

Rayjon Tucker found his shot to nail a couple of three-pointers as well and in the end Melbourne scored the 13-point win to improve to a 10-12 record on the season to keep their playoff hopes alive.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">CG43 has COME. ALIVE. Three straight triples in the third. ?<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> live and free on 10 Peach and 10 play | live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/IOBCmKOo8i">pic.twitter.com/IOBCmKOo8i</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1609436113860452352?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Goulding hit his last four three-point attempts on his way to 20 points for the game with Tucker adding 20 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Barlow delivered a season-best 11 points to go with five rebounds while Marcus Lee had 10 points, seven boards, three assists, three steals and two blocks with Shea Ili contributing 10 points, four boards and three assists, and Isaac Humphries eight points and nine rebounds in just 14 minutes.

Melbourne coach Dean Vickerman was pleased for the most part with how his team responded to the Brisbane runs.

"We had a few little runs at different times and after CG kind of exploded there and we got up a good margin, then they came out and made their little run and Mitchell was the guy that at that time put his head down and got to the rim, and made tough shots," Vickerman said.

"He really brought that margin back for them but we weathered those storms and we've been here before where we've had a lead.

"We just showed more composure down the offensive end to take our time and get good shots, and let the ball move around. We made some simple plays going to the rim and using some shot clock which was pleasing."

The frontcourt combination of Gorjok Gak (18 points, 13 rebounds) and DJ Mitchell (16 points) continue to be a shining light for the Bullets.

Tyler Johnson also delivered 17 points with Nathan Sobey contributing 14 points, five rebounds and four assists, Jason Cadee nine points and five boards, and Tanner Krebs eight points and six rebounds.

Bullets coach Greg Vanderjagt was frustrated in some of the lack of attention to detail and focus from his team throughout the game.

"There's a lot of things that we could control in that game and when you give a team 39 additional possession with 20 o-boards and 19 turnovers, the mountain of possession takes its toll at some point in the game," Vanderjagt said.

"We dug ourselves a hole in the third quarter when we had seven turnovers in our first 11 or 12 possessions, but on the back of DJ Mitchell we kind of found some energy and got back in the game.

"We then just had some breakdowns defensively. There's a lot of things that we can control and a lot of attention to detail on scout that we don't concentrate on at times. I don't know what the reason is but there's some aspects where we just need to be better."

Gorjok Gak embraced his increased opportunity in the absence of Aron Baynes for Brisbane. He scored eight of his team's first 11 points in the contest including a couple of strong finishes at the rim.

However, Melbourne was able to work its way on top to take a narrow lead into quarter-time of 22-20 after a three-pointer from the returning David Barlow.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">Rayjon Tucker getting in on the dunk party! ??<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> live and free on 10 Peach and 10 play | live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel <a href="https://t.co/gFawPD8sxe">pic.twitter.com/gFawPD8sxe</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1609424814388948998?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

Isaac Humphries landed from downtown to open the second quarter and stretch the Melbourne lead to five before Tyler Johnson and Gak brought Brisbane back level.

Melbourne did again threaten to pull away with a triple from Mason Peatling and bucket to Chris Goulding, but Brisbane stayed in touch and it was Gak beginning another 12-2 run that included a three ball to Jason Cadee and Nathan Sobey getting to the rack.

By half-time, scores were locked at 43-43 with Gak's 14 points and seven rebounds making him the standout performer on the court with both teams shooting a combined 4/23 from beyond the arc.

Things still remained tight through the third quarter with Humphries also collecting a quick third and fourth foul for Melbourne, but then Goulding took over. He hit three three-pointers in no time and suddenly United were up 14.

However, Goulding came out of the game and Brisbane hit the next seven points. That forced Dean Vickerman to bring Goulding back to close the quarter, he hit a fourth triple and helped United lead by eight at three quarter-time.

Brisbane threatened a comeback to start the fourth quarter with the opening six points including a spectacular alley-oop finish from DJ Mitchell. That made it a two-point ball game, but Melbourne responded in a fashion to put the game to bed.

<blockquote class="twitter-tweet"><p lang="en" dir="ltr">OH MY DJ MITCHELL ?<br><br>Watch <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBL23?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBL23</a> live and free on 10 Peach and 10 play | live on ESPN via Kayo Sports and Foxtel ? <a href="https://t.co/KEZyvOqYt6">pic.twitter.com/KEZyvOqYt6</a></p>— NBL (@NBL) <a href="https://twitter.com/NBL/status/1609439322578780161?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">January 1, 2023</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>

It started with a three to Barlow before a three-point play from Lee after a dunk, and then another seven quick points from Tucker to see the lead back out to 15 before United went on to win by 13.

Brisbane remains at home to play host to the Cairns Taipans on Thursday while United head down to Hobart to play the Tasmania JackJumpers on Saturday in a rematch from last year's semi-final match up.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 13

BRISBANE BULLETS 86 (Gak 18, Johnson 17, Mitchell 16)

MELBOURNE UNITED 99 (Tucker 20, Goulding 20, Barlow 11)

BOX SCORE