NEWCASTLE University Knights reversed their heavy National Cup defeat of last season to puncture Bradford Dragons' start to the new season.

Expectations were high for the hosts after a positive pre-season, but the Knights triumphed 73-70 in the National Trophy Pool Two opener.

Riding the wave from last season, when they were promoted from Division Two wins 19 wins from 22 matches, the visitors led 14-12 at the end of the first quarter, despite conceding the first baskets to Ricky Fetske and Rafi Saipe.

The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with both teams surrendering opportunities to find baskets, but this time the Dragons had a 31-28 edge at the interval.

Newcastle regained the lead early into the third quarter but again neither team were able to take the game by the scruff of the neck, with the Knights getting the final basket to lead 48-45 going into the final ten minutes.

With three and a half minutes of the fourth quarter played, Rihards Sulcs stole up the court and put Bradford back in front 53-52 with a lay-up.

However, any celebration was shortlived as Newcastle responded immediately with a three-pointer, and the advantage continued to switch hands.

With less than 24 seconds remaining, the Knights were 68-67 to the good and in possession of the ball, forcing Bradford to make a foul in an attempt to regain possession.

But, with the visitors making the free-throws, there was nothing that the Dragons could do to prevent the loss.

For the second weekend in succession, following his 28 points against Leeds Force in the last pre-season friendly, Saipe topped the Dragons' scorers with 21 points, Fetske contributed 16 and Sulcs sank 13.

Bradford’s head coach Chris Mellor said: “It was a close game throughout. Neither team really got a grip on the game and they managed to make some big plays down the end.”

Bradford will take some consolation in the fact that they can clearly perform better, and will also be boosted by the arrival of their American point-guard Marcus Gooding when they next take to the court.

With no game this weekend, Mellor has a couple of weeks to work with his players before the Dragons travel to Newcastle to face last season’s league and cup double winners Team Northumbria, in their second and final Trophy fixture on Sunday, October 4.