NZ Breakers 71-55 Wollongong Hawks

Well… it wasn’t always pretty.

But the Breakers are 7-3 now, riding a strong finish at home against the Hawks to overcome a horrendous third quarter in which they scored just three points. Count ‘em, one two three.

It was disastrous, yet somehow at the end of that quarter the scores were still tied! 47-47. NZB shot 1-18 from the field in that duration but they at least found the zone defensively (and some luck, sure) to keep Wollongong to only 13 themselves. 13 in a quarter? That’s really good in most situations.

The secret trap door that led to safety – the hole in the wall behind the poster if you will – was that the Hawks shot like bollocks for the entire game. Guard Jahii Carson hit only one of his 13 shots, finishing with 2 points at 8% shooting, while former Breaker Oscar Forman put up a goose egg. Even Gary Ervin, playing off the bench, only hit 4 of 13 shots. Larry Davidson was the only Hawk who had a positive offensive night with 12 & 9 hitting 5 of 7.

The game actually started pretty well offensively. The Breakers scored a lot of points in the paint with Uncle Kenny getting stuck in following his massive last week. Cedric got involved too and it was those two who carried the team throughout. Corey Webster shot 4-18 and it was ugly. He wasn’t the only guy missing shots but he was the biggest culprit. Cedric shot 6-15 but that includes a couple massive 3 pointers to right the ship in the fourth. Hell, we blew ‘em out in the end, saving the best ‘til last winning the 4Q by 24 to 8.

The less said the better, really. At least it shows ‘character’ (cliché alert) to hold on for a win like that. Winning despite a three point third? Don’t know if that’s a record low but still getting the W despite it must be a first. Surely.

Uncle Kenny had 13/6/4 in almost 28 minutes, with Alex Pledger getting to put his feet up most of the game. Cedric had 22/7/4, Vukona 4/9/3 and Rhys Carter 9/1/4. Shout out to Reuben Te Rangi too, who had two points, hitting his first field goal since the 26th of October with this alley-oop.

For the first time in ages the Breakers get the weekend off now. The last four weeks have seen them backing up on Sundays after Thursday/Friday games and that’s pretty brutal. Two of their three losses have come in that situation. Instead feet get to be rested until next Friday when Melbourne come to town.

Jeezus, I can’t believe we won with a three point third quarter!

Stocks:

Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – Defence, Cha Cha Cha. Defence! Look, say what you want at the other end but keeping the Hawks to 55 points is superb. Last time we played them was a 79-77 nail-biter in Sydney where Jahii Carson scored 24 points, getting to the free throw line 17 times. In this game he didn’t shoot one. Not a one. Zip, zilch, zero.

Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – Tai Wesley is starting to look kinda bad. He’s shown he can dominate on his night but his last 4 games have seen him shooting at 7-26. That’s under 26% and for a guy who posts up a fair bit, that’s bloody awful.

Key Stat

The Breakers shot 34% from the field, 26-76. The Hawks shot 32% with 22-68. Nope, not one for the light of heart.

Play of the Game

Is that Rhys Carter or Rajon Rondo? Uncle Kenne finishes nicely too.

And he was back with this beauty in the second half. One of the rarest of basketball species, the one-handed jumping floater for three.

Match MVP Points

Cedric Jackson – 3

Ekene Ibekwe – 2

Mika Vukona – 1

Season MVP Standings

Cedric Jackson – 15

Ekene Ibekwe – 12

Corey Webster – 9

Up Next

Friday, 7.30pm: NZ Breakers vs Melbourne United, Vector Arena (NZT)