The South Dragons scored a second straight win in the NBL after defeating the Crocodiles 111-98 in Townsville.

Kavossy Franklin scored 27 points as the new Melbourne franchise led at every change to end the Crocs' unbeaten record at home.

The former Hunter Pirate showed his anger at being left out of this month's NBL All-Star game in Adelaide with an MVP performance.

Larry Abney scored 28 points and pulled down 13 boards to keep Townsville in the contest but despite almost pulling the game out of the fire in the closing stages, Shane Heal was left to ice the win with a triple and a double in the final minute.

The former NBA star showed he is well and truly capable of handling the dual role of captain/coach, amassing 18 points and six assists to secure his second win from just three outings as a coach in the Philips Championship.

Frank Drmic (16 points, 10 rebounds) and import Rosell Ellis (16 points, 11 rebounds) were also instrumental in the win, helping the Dragons establish a 55-48 lead at half-time.

Townsville looked a shadow of itself from outside the perimeter with the league's best three-point shooting team unable to get hot (33 per cent).

New point guard Jelani Gardner produced his best game of the year, falling just short of a triple-double with 19 points, seven rebounds and nine assists.

He received strong support from captain John Rillie (24 points), who was the only Crocodile to find range from outside the arc as his side fell 13 points short.

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