Melbourne United end three-match losing streak with win over Townsville Crocodiles

IT wasn’t pretty, but the losing streak is over. Melbourne United has ended a run of three straight losses with a win over one of their conquerors, Townsville.

TOWNSVILLE, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 26: Hakim Warrick of Melbourne United drives to the basket past Brian Conklin of the Crocodiles during the round eight NBL match between the Townsville Crocodiles and Melbourne United on November 26, 2015 in Townsville, Australia. (Photo by Ian Hitchcock/Getty Images)

IT wasn’t pretty, but the losing streak is over.

The experience of former NBA big man Hakim Warrick and the silky skills of guard Stephen Holt proved the difference as Melbourne United scored an important 66-63 NBL win in Townsville on Thursday.

United survived a late charge to hold off the dogged Crocodiles and snap a three-game losing streak.

It was Melbourne’s 10th win of the season and it came against a side that knocked it off at Hisense Arena just six days ago.

“They (Townsville) are a great team and a competitive team,” Holt said.

“They beat us last week so we know we needed to come out with a lot of energy.

“I’m really proud of the team to get the win on the road.”

Holt finished with 20 points and four assists, while Warrick scored 15 points and pulled down five boards off the bench.

It felt like deva vu early with Townsville getting the early jump on Melbourne.

Worryingly, the home side led 5-0 before Melbourne was able to steady.

United drew back to trail by just one point at quarter-time.

Stephen Holt again starred for United.

Tensions rose in the second quarter with Melbourne coach Dean Demopoulos issued a warning by the referees for backchat.

Perhaps not realising the Fox Sports microphone was still on, the referee took exception when the United coach questioned a decision.

“You do not treat me like a piece of s….,” referee Brad Geirsch said to Demopoulos.

From that point it was all Melbourne with Holt and Warrick starting to have an impact.

The former NBA veteran was winning his battle with Townsville star Brian Conklin to help United set up a handy 10-point lead at half-time.

The third quarter was a tight and dour affair with both sides struggling to score.

Remarkably, just 15 points was scored in the quarter — with Melbourne winning the quarter with eight points to seven — to make it the lowest scoring quarter in more than 5600 NBL games.

But it mattered little to Melbourne with the ladder-leaders up by 11 points at three quarter-time.

Townsville made a run early in the term to tighten up the match.

With Clint Steindl starring, the Crocodiles would not go away and had a long range shot from beyond the midcourt line on the buzzer to send the game into overtime.

But Jordan Jett’s shot narrowly missed.

Originally published as Melbourne United end three-match losing streak with win over Townsville Crocodiles