BRADFORD Dragons faced a home and away double header last weekend, and won both to zoom up the National Basketball League Division One table.

They won 76-67 at home to rock-bottom Westminster Warriors, who have performed well on several occasions this term despite their league position, before a fine 90-86 win at Nottingham Hoods.

Saturday evening saw the last in a long run of eight consecutive home games for the Dragons and in a scrappy encounter, the hosts held a 25-18 lead by the end of the first quarter.

The visitors made a stunning start to the second period to edge two points in front, but that only seemed to fire up the Dragons.

Micah Savery-Richards quickly tied things up for Bradford before scores from Justin Williams, Jordan Whelan and Jabari Edwards gave them a 41-29 advantage.

But again, Westminster refused to roll over, and by the half-time buzzer, the visitors had closed the gap to six points at 44-38 down.

A low scoring third quarter saw the Dragons keep the visitors at arm's length, as they ended it 55-48 in front.

Within a minute of the restart, Bradford had raced into a 13-point lead, but Westminster moved to just six behind with four minutes of play left.

But a determined performance from the Bradford side ensured that Westminster came no closer, and the game ended with the hosts winning 76-67.

The Player of the Game award went to American point guard Williams for the second weekend running, as he contributed a massive 32 points for the Dragons.

Dragons captain Ricky Fetske registered his now customary double-double, with 11 points and 10 rebounds.

The following day, the Dragons travelled to the Wildcats Arena in Nottingham, which they know well having used the venue as their home court during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Dragons won the reverse fixture 82-71, but it was the Hoods who went into this game two points clear of their visitors.

Williams started the game where he left off the previous day, putting the first points on the board with a trey.

But it was the Hoods who bossed the opening quarter, leading 29-18 by the end of it.

The second period was a different story altogether, as Williams again provided Bradford’s main scoring threat, while being well supported by both Whelan and Fetske.

With just over two minutes of the first half remaining, a triple from Edwards gave the Dragons the lead and further scores from Williams and Fetske put them 48-42 ahead by half-time.

Whelan added a trey to start the penultimate quarter, but then it was the Hoods’ turn to claw their way back into the game and they opened up a 61-56 lead with three minutes of the period still to play.

Bradford fought back and Williams bucketed his driving lay-up to give the Dragons the lead once more.

However, it was the Hoods who took the slenderest of leads, 63-62, into the final period.

Fetske sank a three at the start of the final quarter to put the Dragons ahead, and then another to give Bradford some breathing space.

Nottingham moved back to within one basket with 30 seconds to go, but a final two points from Fetske ensured that the Dragons returned home with the win, as both sides now sit joint-fourth in the league standings, the top eight qualifying for the end of season play-offs.

Williams followed up his 32-point tally the previous evening with another 31 in Sunday’s game, while Fetske and Whelan both contributed 21 points to the winning tally.

Next up for the Dragons is an away trip to London Lions II, who play out of Barking Abbey College. The game takes place tomorrow, with tip-off scheduled for 4pm.

The next home fixture for Bradford takes place on Saturday, February 25, when Manchester Magic are the visitors to the Inspire Centre for the first time.

The game will tip off at 6:15pm and tickets can be purchased via the Dragons’ club website.