BRADFORD Dragons finished 2016 on a high, winning 104-94 in overtime at Hemel Storm in Division One of the English Basketball League.

The Dragons have been the highest scorers in the National League so far this season, currently averaging just short of 95 points per game.

Much of this prowess has been down to American point guard Marcus Gooding, who has thrilled spectators with his accuracy from beyond the three-point line.

Yet he took his performance to a whole new level against Hemel, hitting an incredible 45 points in a game which could easily have slipped out of Bradford's grasp.

Gooding commented on social media following his achievement: "Basketball is a really mental game, not only on the court but also through preparation and visualisation – the way you see yourself as a player is how you will (eventually) play – if you invest the work to get there, of course. It's that simple.

"It may not come into fruition until maybe one, two, three years down the line but you gotta truly believe in your head that you can get to where you want.

"I was maybe a little delusional back then but I saw myself scoring 45 three years ago in my mind, so it's not a surprise to me.

"I'm not shocked, I'm not satisfied. Nobody believed in me more than myself. Finally joined the #40Club … #50Club up next."

The game itself was a thriller. Ricky Fetske, Bradford's other in-form American, opened the scoring, while a three-pointer from the home side was then disallowed due to an infringement in the key, resulting in Rihards Sulcs hitting the floor.

Jermayne Laing then missed a three-point attempt for the Dragons, allowing Hemel to level the scores before Gooding opened his account with the first of his three-pointers.

The opening quarter was played at a frantic pace, with both teams missing multiple scoring opportunities, epitomised when Sulcs had an open run to the basket, only to see his dunk bounce back out, the period closing with Hemel 24-22 ahead.

It was in the second period that the Dragons took control, despite their hosts opening a four-point lead in the opening moments.

It took three and a half minutes for Bradford to level at 33-33 following another three-pointer, this time from veteran Jason Swaine.

But from that point on, the quarter was all about Bradford – and Gooding in particular, who put in an exemplary scoring display, hitting five from seven attempts from beyond the arc.

As the first half ended, Hemel could consider themselves fortunate to be only 13 points down at 57-44.

A tactical switch by Hemel coach Dave Allin meant that club captain Walid Mumuni moved across to defend Gooding after the break, resulting in the American adding only three points to his tally during a third quarter in which the home side reduced the deficit to ten points at 74-64.

With the home crowd behind them, the hosts could sense that the game was within their grasp and they began to eat into Bradford's lead.

As the game entered its final 60 seconds, Jack Burnell levelled the scores at 91-91 from the free-throw line. The home side then had the opportunity to take the lead, again from the free-throw line, but this time came up short.

Then, in the final seconds of regulation time, Gooding saw his attempt bounce back off the rim and the game headed into overtime.

For Hemel, it was a case of close but not close enough as the extra period was totally owned by the visitors. In addition to Gooding's 45 points, Sulcs finished with 17 and Laing 16.

Bradford head coach Chris Mellor said: "We were really good in the first half but the lead we had stayed around ten to 15 points and there was always a danger if they started to connect from beyond the arc that it could get interesting down the stretch and that is exactly what happened.

"I think we were all so disappointed that it got to overtime that it helped us even though they had the momentum. We played an excellent extra period and it was a good way to close out the year."

The fifth-placed Dragons travel to play London Lituanica on Sunday, January 8 before facing Derby Trailblazers at the Dragons' Den the following Saturday (6.15pm), with Bradford seeking revenge for a one-point defeat in the midlands on the opening day of the season.