South Dragons player-coach Shane Heal produced a huge final quarter to lift his side past the stubborn Singapore Slingers in their National Basketball League clash at Vodafone Arena.

Heal posted 15 points in the fourth quarter as the Dragons recovered from a dismal defensive effort in the first half to close out an important 109-99 win.

The Dragons moved to a 4-9 win-loss record with the victory, keeping their slim playoff hopes alive.

But the bottom-placed Slingers have now lost their past five and prop up the league at 2-13.

They looked poised to cause a huge upset midway through the final quarter - import Rod Grizzard spearheading a fightback from 14 points down to get within one with five minutes to play.

Heal and co-captain Jacob Holmes then steadied the Dragons - Holmes keeping his side afloat virtually single-handedly in the first half to finish the game with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

For the Slingers, Grizzard scored a game-high 26 points and nine rebounds.

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