Stand-in skipper CJ Bruton rose to the challenge of Townsville's mohawked Corey "Homicide" Williams with six crucial points in the dying minutes of Brisbane's action-charged 120-113 NBL win.

Williams, who posted a career-best 41 points (20 in the last quarter), got Townsville to within two points of the Bullets (108-106) with just under two minutes to play before Brisbane's `fourth quarter man' Bruton stepped up yet again.

Bruton landed four free throws and a field goal as the Bullets secured their fourth straight victory and moved to 10-4 for the season.

The loss ended a five-game winning streak for the Crocs, and with an 8-8 record they could slip outside the top eight by the end of the round.

Bruton and Ebi Ere shared the scoring honours for the Bullets with 32 points each, Bruton with four three-pointers and 13 of 16 shooting from the free throw line.

Williams however played a lone hand for the visitors with Galen Young the next best scorer with 18 points.

While Williams posted the game high points, it was Bruton's courageous effort that deserved the praise after he was in doubt all week with an ankle injury.

He and Williams sparred like prize fighters going blow for blow for most of the clash, but there was no way Bruton was going to let Williams - who'd posted three 30 point-plus hauls in his past five games - rule the roost on his own floor.

In further positive news for the injury-depleted Bullets, centre Justin Brown made a successful return from a foot injury, scoring nine points and six rebounds in his first game after a year's absence.

With skipper Sam Mackinnon (knee) out injured until at least the New Year and Kiwi international Craig Bradshaw (ankle) a week or two away, Brown's 213cm frame will be valuable.

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