Who was playing for Melbourne United?

Written by Hayley Wildes for Melbourne United Media - 6 August, 2019

Melbourne United's first pre-season hit-out went down to the wire against US college team California Baptist University Lancers.

With the bulk of United’s local players on national duties for either Australia or New Zealand and the imports yet to land in Melbourne, it was an undermanned squad that took to the court at MSAC on Tuesday morning.

Despite that, it was David Barlow who put the team on his back and almost led Melbourne to victory, with the team falling agonisingly short in the final seconds.

Barlow was a man on a mission from the opening tip and with him taking control, United jumped out to a commanding 15-4 start.

With Sam Short setting the offence, Melbourne looked strong early, but Cal Baptist returned fire and at the first break United held a 21-19 lead.

The second quarter was a tough slog for Melbourne on the offensive end, but with tight defence and active hands, they stayed in the contest.

After going scoreless for the first five minutes of the term, big man Josh Kunen got United on the board with a pair of free throws.

Just as it looked like the Lancers were about to make a run, the stifling defence of Jack Purchase led to a pair of steals and buckets for Melbourne.

United headed into half time trailing by four points, 38-34.

After struggling early in the second quarter, Melbourne again found it tough at the start of the third term, but this time around, Cal Baptist made them pay.

Young Australian guard, Tre Armstrong caught fire and drained three triples in a row to see the Lancers open the second half on a 9-0 run to lead by 13 points.
Although foul trouble limited Barlow's minutes, when he was on the court, he was an absolute force and led Melbourne back into the contest late in the third quarter. With a quarter to play, United trailed by five points, 59-54.

After leading the team back to within striking distance in the third quarter, Barlow proceeded to take over the game in the fourth quarter. Scoring Melbourne’s first six points of the fourth term, Barlow evened the scores at 60-all after a minute and a half of play.

With plenty of foul calls, the free throw battle became vital and big man Jo Lual-Acuil stepped to the line at crucial stages for United. He drained four free throws in a row at give Melbourne a three-point lead, 72-69, with 3:30 remaining.

With the game on the line, Barlow once again proved too big and strong in the key and drew a foul to get to the line. He hit both free throws to give United a two-point lead with 45 seconds on the clock.

Ferron Flavors Jr responded on the other end with a bucket of his own for the Lancers. A tough miss from Barlow with 13 seconds remaining saw the Lancers get out on the fast break and with just 0.6 seconds remaining, Cal Baptist’s Brandon Boyd was fouled on a drive to the bucket.

He hit the first free throw and despite Barlow grabbing the rebound on Boyd’s second attempt, he was unable to drain the hail mary to see the Lancers come away with a one-point win, 79-78.

David Barlow (30 points and 3 rebounds) was dominant on offence and his defence was outstanding as he couldn’t be moved in the paint, while Sam Short (6 rebounds, 5 assists and 2 steals) was impressive as the starting point guard.

Jo lual acuil had 17 6 and who is Lual diing 11 6

So acuil is a dp?

https://www.fibalivestats.com/u/NBL/1311946/bs.html#ASFSK

A few guys from the dandenong game in. Pretty terrible fill,ins imo

Why didn't McDaniel play ?

Who are you going to get at 10.00am on a Tuesday morning?

CBU 7 August: vs Cairns Taipans | 7:30pm at Cairns Basketball Centre

What will cairns lineup look like tomorrow?

Also playing


Creighton Bluejays (Men)

5 August: vs Basketball Australia's Centre of Excellence | 6:00pm at Shore School

8 August: vs Cairns Taipans | 8:30pm at Cairns Convention Centre

12 August: vs Brisbane Bullets Invitational Squad | 7:00pm at Auchenflower Stadium.

What happened in the Dandenong game? Was it a Youth League team? CBU won by 60 or something after losing to Sydney Comets and COE

CBU hit 24 3 pointers

I think Dandenong was a depleted team

Sam McDaniel has a swollen eye.

Every team they have played have been depleted. I wonder what cairns willl look like lol.

Depleated or not, every loves hanging shit on Waratah, and rating NBL1 far above it... but that Melbourne United squad is NBL1 level and a similar result. COE NBL1 too.

Sydney Comets middle of the table in Waratah

I was thinking the same thing
NBL1 needs to be an Australia wide championship

The comets were there first game and Cbu had a few players out.
The coach said they were still not over the jet lag.


Don't think you can compare first, second or third game.

Aren't the college teams supposed to be able to come out here and kick nbl teams according to some posters, lol.

Is Jock Perry still playing at Saint Mary's or is he now a development player for Melbourne?