The Brisbane Bullets have moved back into the NBL's top four after a 95-86 victory over Melbourne United on Sunday.
The Bullets gained the ascendancy in the third quarter at the Gold Coast Sport and Leisure Centre then held steady in the closing stages to claim their third victory over the defending champions this season.
Brisbane coach Andrej Lemanis was pleased with the way his side bounced back following Thursday's 29-point loss to the Cairns Taipans.
"I thought the response to that was good from the team," Lemanis said after the win.
"We expected to come out and play with a better intent ... I think that certainly showed."
The win also sees Brisbane move back into the top four ahead of the Adelaide 36ers.
It has been a rough start to the new year for the NBL's leading teams with the top sides all losing to lower-ranked opponents so far in round 12.
United were hoping to buck the trend and move back into top spot on the ladder but not even a 29-point explosion from Casper Ware could prevent their second straight loss.
Brisbane centre Matt Hodgson finished with 17 points and eight rebounds while Cam Gliddon (16 points) nailed a pair of clutch three-pointers in the final minutes to ice the game.
After leading by three at halftime, the Bullets appeared to make the decisive break in the third quarter, building a 64-56 lead after United sharpshooter Chris Goulding was forced to the bench with four fouls.
Brisbane saw their lead cut to 68-67 after Ware nailed a long three-pointer on the third-quarter buzzer but the home side outscored United 27-19 in the final stanza.
United were missing import DJ Kennedy due to stiffness following a minor car accident last Friday.
New Brisbane import AJ Davis, son of former NBA player Antonio Davis, made his debut in the second quarter, scoring two points in four minutes on court.
