BRADFORD Dragons head coach Chris Mellor was left ruing a poor second-half display as his side went down 95-74 at Reading Rockets.

Their hosts – one of the longest established teams in National Basketball League Division One – were sitting nicely in the early-season leading pack, having won three out of their first four games.

Bradford, who had won two from three, were refreshed after having the previous weekend off following London Lituanica’s withdrawal from the league.

The two teams matched each other shot for shot early on but when Sydney Donaldson sank his first three points to give Reading an 8-7 lead, the Dragons never got in front again.

The highlight of the opening quarter, if not the entire game, came with the hosts 25-15 up. Rockets saw their three-point attempt bounce off the rim with a couple of seconds remaining and Marcus Gooding took the rebound, laying the ball off to Rihards Sulcs who, from inside his own half, launched a spectacular buzzer-beating shot to reduce the deficit to seven.

The Dragons started the second period with renewed vigour and Gooding hit a three-pointer early on to further reduce the deficit.

Ricky Fetske later chipped in with a slam dunk and Rafi Saipe contributed from beyond the three-point line. However, despite their efforts, the Dragons couldn’t close the gap completely as the visitors trailed 42-38 at half-time.

Their renewed belief was short-lived as Reading's offence, led by Donaldson, turned the screw, while at the other end a succession of missed shots and turnovers allowed the hosts to extend their advantage. By the end of the third period, the hosts led 65-51.

Fetske reduced the deficit but Reading quickly opened a 21-point advantage (76-55), thanks to some impressive shooting from Ali Sbai.

Although Bradford pulled the deficit back, Reading had too much in their locker and ended convincing winners.

Saipe was, once again, the top scorer for Bradford with 21 points, while Gooding, Fetske and Sulcs all contributed 13 points. However, Reading’s Donaldson finished as the game’s high scorer with 22 points.

Dragons chief Mellor said: “We went in at half-time with some kind of momentum after a good second quarter. But we were very poor at both ends of the court in the second half and Reading took full advantage and fully deserved the win.”

Dragons host Team Newcastle University Knights on Saturday (6.15pm) looking for revenge after Knights beat them in the National Trophy in September.

Dragons’ under-16s suffered their first defeat of the season at York Young Eagles (72-69), having been ahead at the end of the third period.

Great Osobar top-scored with 22 points, Olufemi Bright contributed 18 and Theo Antwi added 17.