South were outsized and undermanned from tip-off but fought hard to establish a 16-point lead by the first break. The buffer proved unassailable for the Slingers, who dominated the boards but failed to convert on the scoreboard all night.

Kavossy Franklin led the Dragons’ early charge, netting 10 points in the opening quarter and a total of 25 points, eight rebounds and one assist for the game.

But the win was far from a one-man show with Jacob Holmes (17 points, seven boards, one assist), Rosell Ellis (16 points, 12 rebounds, one assist), Shane Heal (16 points, four boards, two assists), Joe Ingles (14 points, three rebounds, two assists) and Frank Drmic (11 points, five rebounds, four assists) all posting strong performances in the Dragons’ inaugural victory at Singapore Stadium.

Undaunted by the Slingers’ superior height and manpower the Dragons hit the ground running and never looked back, with dedicated defence and swift offensive play earning the ultimate reward.

Rosell Ellis backed up his stand-out Round 15 display with another exciting effort against the Slingers. Ellis and Singapore’s Ben Knight went head to head on the boards all night in a remarkable show of skill.

The win will go a long way to silencing doubts over South’s fitness; tonight’s victory follows the most arduous plane journey in the league and a tough week of competition.

The Dragons now have one week to prepare for the local derby against cross-town rivals the Melbourne Tigers on January 10.

South Dragons 110 (Franklin 25, Holmes 17, Ellis, Heal 16)
Singapore Slingers 85 (Helms 17, Kench 16, Knight 14)
@ Singapore Indoor Stadium, 03/01/2007