NBL star facing lengthy suspension after sucker punching rival – and it’s his second time this season
- Gary Browne hit Aron Baynes
- Browne also hit a player in November
- Bullets defeated the Phoenix 95-83
Southeast Melbourne import Gary Browne from Phoenix is facing a suspension after punching Brisbane Bullets big man Aron Baynes – and it is the second time he has done so this season.
Brisbane Bullets kept their play-off dreams alive after an enthralling 95-83 win over South East Melbourne on Saturday. Phoenix snapped a four-game losing streak.
The Bullets, cheered on by a passionate Nissan Arena crowd, led throughout the match after a 15-point first-half lead proved too big for the visitors to come back from.
The Phoenix fell behind by five heading into the final quarter, but the brilliance of Nathan Sobey, who scored 35 points, and Shannon Scott's intimidating defense ensured Brisbane fans entered the new year with the hope of a play- off mooring still intact.
Sobey led the Bullets from start to finish after starting the game with a two-handed jam, but a crucial steal from Scott midway through the final frame changed the game.
After a much-needed Sobey three, Scott stole the ball and earned possession again. On that possession, Phoenix guard Gary Browne was ejected for an unsportsmanlike foul in which he appeared to have swung a hand hard into the stomach of a fencing Aron Baynes.
Scott, one of the league's best ball defenders, earned a match-defining seven-point swing for Brisbane after two Baynes free throws and a Sobey layup took the life out of a Browne-less Phoenix.
But it is not the first time this season that Browne has had a big man tackled, having been fined $700 (reduced from $1010 with an early guilty plea) for punching an Adelaide 36ers player in November.
The Phoenix could now be without their guards, with a suspension likely.
Prior to his eviction, Browne scored a crafty 13 points, while Mitch Creek (11 points, 11 rebounds, four assists, two steals) returned from a knee injury in strong fashion.
Owen Foxwell (11 points), Alan Williams (13 points) Abdel Nader (13 points) and Matt Kenyon (14 points) reached double figures for the visitors in the clash, but it wasn't enough to distinguish a red-hot Sobey who helped Josh Bannan (17 points), among others.
Nathan Sobey took it upon himself to get Brisbane off to a flying start on Saturday night, with the Boomer slamming home an emphatic dunk from the point and making numerous jump shots to end the first quarter with 13 points.
Sobey, who scored as many points in the first quarter as he scored four points in Wednesday's loss, said with the season on the line, he wanted to make his mark early.
The Brisbane Bullets kept their play-off dreams alive with a 95-83 victory over the Phoenix
“My intention was to look aggressive and look good for myself and my teammates,” Sobey said in an interview at the end of the first frame.
In bright pink shoes and on a night when his jump shot looked as bright as ever, the Boomer gave Brisbane exactly what they wanted and needed. A good start.
Brisbane led 32-23 after the first frame and then 57-42 at the main break after Sobey's spectacular captain's knock in the first half.