A depleted Bradford Dragons clung on to win the first round of the English Basketball League Division Two play-offs 80-74 against visitors Team Northumbria.
With Vance Silcott, James Steer and Boycho Branzov all out through injury and others playing with injuries, Dragons still managed to shade the first period 19-17 as their perimeter game started to engage.
In the second stanza, both teams played tough defence but Dragons edged the period to lead 38-35 at half- time.
The Dragons started to pull away in the third quarter with the brothers Pabrieza connecting with their outside shooting until Daumants Pabrieza was injured. A cross-court assist by Jimi Pournouri to Raimond Pabrieza in the corner saw Pabrieza drain a triple on the buzzer to give Dragons a 62-54 lead at the final break.
Dragons then pulled ahead as triples from Pournouri, Ciesla and Raimond Pabrieza all connected to give Dragons a 15-point lead mid-quarter, but injuries to Sulcs, Parker and Pournouri saw them leave the court as Northumbria pressed to battle back into the game. An injured Daumants Pabrieza returned to the court as a desperate Northumbria defence sent Dragons to the charity stripe.
Dragons made the most of their free throws to hold out for a well deserved six-point victory.
Coach Chris Mellor said: "I was really pleased with our performance. "Our perimeter game was good and we shot a high percentage. Defensively we were pretty consistent, although sloppy turnovers gave away cheap fast-break points which gave them a glimmer of hope near the end.
"Obviously we are a slightly different team now without Vance and the injuries we have and everybody needs to do a little bit extra."
For Dragons, Raimond Pabrieza top-scored with 22, including seven triples and eight defensive rebounds, Michal Ciesla made 17 and Daumants Pabrieza scored 14.
Dragons' next home game is the play-off semi-final against Medway Park Crusaders on Saturday at 6.15pm in Trinity Green Sports Hall, Bradford College, Trinity Road, Bradford BD5 0JE. Admission is £3 and £1.50 for concessions.
If Dragons win this game, they will go to the play-off final on Sunday, April 17 in the Amaechi Centre in Manchester (11am).
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