Basketball: Bullets buoyed by 10-point Jackson

Winning does not come easily to Birmingham Bullets and they took a typically hard road to an 81-77 Champions Cup victory over Oliveirense at the Aston Events Centre last night, by out-scoring the Portuguese 12-6 over the final four minutes.

The victory, Bullets fourth out of six, keeps them on course to qualify from the Western Conference after Michael Jackson came off the bench on four fouls to hit 10 points in the decisive phase.

The Bullets coach, Tony Garbelotto, know he needs at least two additions to his bench, a point guard and a shooting forward, and hopes one will be signed in time for Saturday's National Cup quarter-final against holders Chester Jets.

Oliveirense's substantial height advantage was negated by a wooden defence. Martin Henlan and Richard Windle matched them for muscle while in the first quarter the athleticism of Sullivan Phillips, Eugene Baah and Jackson drew fouls as easily as plucking berries.

Kyle Rolston's third three-pointer of the half capped a 19-2 run to give Bullets a 27-17 lead. Bullets led 42-33 at half-time but made it difficult for themselves as they have done all season. They stopped penetrating and allowed Karlos Seixas to pepper them with threes, while Veldhuizen scored 13 consecutive points for a 60-55 third quarter lead. But once Phillips was handed the point he ran Oliveirense ragged, making three out of four free throws to seal the win.