BRADFORD Dragons had a long away trip last Saturday, where they faced off against Loughborough Riders in Division One of the National Basketball League.

Having trailed from the off, the Dragons left it late, but bounced back to take a fourth successive league victory with an 80-74 triumph.

The Dragons still have Andreas Lycoudis and Rihards Sulcs sidelined through injury, while Stephen Towell also missed the game through sickness

However, the Bradford side were boosted by the inclusion of another new signing, guard Micah Savery-Richards.

Prior to the game, both sides were on three wins for the season, although the Riders had played a couple of games more than their Yorkshire opponents.

The Dragons could not have got off to a worse start, and despite Ricky Fetske netting with a successful two point hook shot, they were 19-3 down after six minutes.

But Jermayne Laing led a mini-revival to ensure the deficit was only 24-15 at the end of the first quarter.

Bradford came out firing from the restart and successful efforts from Jabari Edwards, Clayfell Harris and Zach Gachette ensured they were only 27-25 behind.

The Riders stretched their lead back out to 14 at one stage, but Bradford only found themselves 49-42 down by half-time.

Laing and Fetske brought the visitors back to within striking distance after the restart, and while Loughborough pulled away again to go 10 points in front, they were pegged back and only led 67-62 heading into the final period.

The hosts raced into a double-digit (72-62) lead at the start of the final quarter, before Bradford's incredible fightback began.

Gachette hit a two point fade-away, which Savery-Richards followed up with a jump shot for another two points, and with Loughborough panicking, all of a sudden they only had a one-point lead (74-73) with just under three minutes left.

Gachette sunk two shots from the line to give Bradford the lead for the first time, and baskets from

Savery-Richards, Dave Walsh and that man Gachette again made the game safe.

The heroic Gachette led the Bradford scorers on 27 points, also adding 10 rebounds to record a double-double.

Tomorrow, the Dragons face a much tougher test, when they take the long trip down to Southampton to take on the league leaders Solent Kestrels.

Bradford’s next home fixtures are on December 11 and 12, at their new home of Calderdale College’s Inspire Centre.

The club are offering an opening weekend special offer, for online bookings, of just £5 for entry to both games (£5 per game on the door).

There will be live music and commentary provided by ‘the voice of basketball’, Mike Shaft.

There will also be a selection of food and drink to purchase at the venue.