Hungry Jack's NBL
Rocco, Harrison come up big for Bullets
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By Chris Pike for NBL.com.au
Rocco Zikarsky and Tyrell Harrison combined for 40 points, 18 rebounds and three blocks as the Brisbane Bullets remained unbeaten this NBL pre-season with the 92-86 win against the South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The Bullets were playing their third game in a week after wins against the Shanghai Sharks and Melbourne United, and shook off a rough three-point shooting night on Thursday in Wangaratta.
Keandre Cook did hit two big threes in the fourth quarter despite Brisbane going 3/19 for the game, but it was the impact of centre pairing Zikarsky and Harrison that was the major difference in the six-point victory.
The Phoenix unveiled an entire new starting five headed up by former Bullets captain Nathan Sobey along with Sydney Kings Grand Final MVP Derrick Walton Jr, Jordan Hunter, Tom Vodanovich and Joe Wieskamp.
The Phoenix did have everyone available aside from import forward Matt Hurt while the Bullets were still without Sam McDaniel, Casey Prather and Josh Bannan but were playing a third game already in the last six days.
New South East Melbourne import Joe Wieskamp hit two early threes, but Brisbane worked on top to lead 13-6. It was Tyrell Harrison and Rocco Zikarsky having a significant impact inside and the Bullets were up 25-12 after one.
That lead got out to as much as 12 late in the second term, but the Phoenix scored nine of the last 11 points of the half to cut the deficit to five at half-time.
South East Melbourne kept that momentum going to start the second half with Jordan Hunter and Angus Glover combining for their first eight points, and they were still up one by three quarter-time.
Tom Vodanovich knocked down two three-point bombs too for the Phoenix to open the final period before Brisbane second three of the game came soon after thanks to Keandre Cook.
Cook then added another on the next possession to put the Bullets back on top and eventually the work of Harrison along with Deng Adel had a big say in Brisbane staying undefeated this pre-season.
Harrison is 113 games into his NBL career, but looks set to go to the next level with another 24 points and 11 rebounds. Next Star and fellow centre Zikarsky was also influential with 16 points, seven boards and two blocks.
Adel continues to loom as a standout addition too for Brisbane with 16 points, three assists and three rebounds on 6/8 shooting with Keandre Cook adding 11 points and 10 boards, and James Batemon 10 points and eight assists.
South East Melbourne went 12/36 from behind the arc with Next Star Malique Lewis (15 points, four rebounds) and Joe Wieskamp (14 points, five boards, three assists) both going 3/6.
Tom Vodanovich also had 13 points on 3/6 three-point shooting with Angus Glover contributing 10 points, three boards and two assists, and Derrick Walton Jr seven points and eight assists.
The Phoenix will now have an early taste of a Throwdown against Melbourne United on Saturday night at the State Basketball Centre while the Bullets play the Adelaide 36ers in Mount Gambier next Wednesday.
HUNGRY JACK'S NBL PRE-SEASON
SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 86 (Lewis 15, Wieskamp 14, Vodanovich 13)
BRISBANE BULLETS 92 (Harrison 24, Zikarsky 16, Adel 16)
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