BRADFORD Dragons have booked themselves a tough National Cup quarter-final tie at Loughborough Student Riders on Sunday, November 19.

A 91-83 fourth-round home win over fellow English League Division One side Derby Trailblazers did the trick for the Dragons, but the visitors are ninth in the table compared to Bradford's sixth, while the students are second. 

Derby won the tip-off but Rafi Saipe picked off a weak pass and raced the full length of the court to put the first points on the board.

After five minutes, the hosts led 16-10 but they then failed to find a basket for four-and-a-half minutes as Trailblazers levelled, Saipe ending the opening quarter with a theree-pointer to give the Dragons the edge at 19-16.

Derby quick brought themselves within a point in the second quarter, but power forward Ricky Fetske's three-pointer, which made it 31-24, showed how Bradford were in control.

The resilient Midlanders pulled the margin back to three points but the Dragons again picked up the pace to lead 45-38 at half-time.  

It was much the same pattern in the third period, with Derby coming close to parity before Bradford pulled away, and they led 73-62 going into the final quarter.

If the Dragons thought that they would be in for a comfortable ride, however, they were very mistaken as a series of home turnovers put Derby back in the match, and an Oli Stanley jump shot actually levelled the scores at 81-81.

The tension was eased, slightly, however by triples by Eisley Swaine and Saipe, and a Rihards Sulcs basket made it 89-81.

Derby still had one more score in them, but they were finished off with a spectacular slam-dunk from Fetske on the final buzzer.

The latter was named Taco Bell player of the game for his top score of 25 points (including three triples) at an impressive 77 per cent success rate, and the big American was supported by Saipe (19 points) and Sulcs, who recorded his customary double-double, with 18 points and 12 rebounds.

Marcus Gooding contributed 16 points.

Dragons coach Chris Mellor said: “We always had our noses in front, but it was never totally comfortable and they hung around and hit some big shots, which made for a very interesting last five minutes.

“Rafi and Eisley hit a couple of threes at the end and we came up with a couple of big stops when needed.”

Bradford now have a weekend off as their scheduled league against London Lituanica has been cancelled due to the latter's withdrawal from the National League.

Bradford travel to current leaders Reading Rockets on Saturday, November 11 before the action returns to the Den for the visit of Newcastle University Eagles the following Saturday.

In other Dragons news, the under-16s continued their good start to the season, recording a 92-84 home win over Leeds City Gold (Great Osobar 30 points, Theo Antwi 23, Olufemi Bright 22).