Bullets put airport drama to one side to shock 36ers in NBL

Rueben Te Rangi stepped up a gear to help Brisbane score a 10-point win over Adelaide 36ers.

Bullets forward Reuben Te Rangi shoots against Adelaide 36ers at Brisbane Convention Centre. Picture: Getty Images

Brisbane import Lamar Patterson’s brush with Australian customs officials for carrying a dog in his hand luggage failed to stop his side storming to a shock 108-98 NBL win against the Adelaide 36ers.

Kiwi forward Reuben Te Rangi had a career-high 29 points for the Bullets at the Brisbane Convention Centre but the big talking point was Patterson, who is expected to begin his stint when the two sides meet again in Adelaide on Sunday.

The American, who is a replacement for released import Alonzo Gee, arrived in Australia yesterday but was detained by biosecurity officers. A former NBA player with the Atlanta Hawks, Patterson was later released but his dog will be returned to the US.

Adelaide also had their chance to collar the home side last night but they let the opportunity slip.

The 36ers were by far the more clinical outfit throughout the first half, and the Bullets were on the receiving end of the foul count.

But the Bullets hung on determinedly, and a bombing raid from Te Rangi and Adam Gibson papered over some of the deficiencies in the Bullets’ make-up.

Adelaide’s Anthony Drmic had, until that point, been the most influential player on the court.

The 198cm forward had 14 points early in the second quarter and was threatening to go on with it until he barged into foul trouble. Drmic finished with 18.

The 36ers’ grip on the game loosened when Drmic and Bullets forward Mika Vukona earned unsportsmanlike fouls following a second-quarter run-in.

AAP