Bradford Dragons beat Medway Park Crusaders 82-76 to extend their perfect start to their first season in English Basketball League Division Two.

They remain top with nine straight wins.

Dragons had beaten Medway earlier in the season but the Kent outfit had added American OJ Reed and Steve Vear to their roster and they helped give the Dragons’ defence a stern test.

Raimond Pabrieza drained a late trey to give Dragons a slender 20-19 lead at the end of the first period.

With Daumants Pabrieza and Vance Silcott combining well in offence, Dragons pulled away to lead 34-22 midway through the second stanza, only for Medway to storm back and cut the deficit to 36-33 at half-time.

With Reed on fire from beyond the arc – going on to post a game-high 37 points – Medway won the third quarter to tie the game at 56-56.

In the final quarter, with the score at 71-69 with four minutes on the clock, a lay-up from Rai Pabrieza resulted in a foul and Tom Martin sank two free throws.

Dragons controlled the remaining few minutes to close out the game.

Coach Chris Mellor said: “It was a tough game, they started well and it took us a while to settle down.

“We had built up a 12-point lead just before half-time so to go in only three up was disappointing.

“We were in foul trouble with eight minutes to go so it was pleasing to see our defence hold firm in the closing moments as well as stay composed offensively.

“It is the first time I’ve seen Reed and Vear play and they were very useful. Medway are one of the better teams in Division Two, they are very well coached and a handful for any defence.”

For Dragons, Rihard Sulcs and Silcott both scored 17 points, with Daumants Pabrieza finishing on 14.

Elsewhere, Dragons thirds crashed 119-41 at Leeds League Division One leaders Deighton Demons, the Under-16s lost 60-49 at Rotherham Hawks and 80-58 at Derbyshire Arrows but Dragons under-18s travelled to York Vikings and win 86-29.

Dragons travel to Teesside on Saturday for a top-of-the-table clash against second-placed Tees Valley Mohawks, who have lost only one game to date.

The following day, Dragons entertain Hemel Storm in the EBL Patrons Cup semi-final, tip-off 4.30pm at Trinity Green Sports Hall, Bradford College.