Wollongong Hawks 84-86 NZ Breakers

A mostly impressive away performance was almost poached at the end as Wollongong came surging back to tie things up, before Mika Vukona iced this baby with some free throws and rebounding and basically all of what we’ve come to expect of him in his great career.

With Coach Vickerman taken ill, Paul Henare took over the coaching duties for the game – given the way the club works it’s pretty likely that Henare will head coach this team someday. So good for him, he did a fine job too.

Corey Webster hit his first four shots to get NZB out of the blocks in a hurry – that included a couple of tough, contested threes. Adam Ballinger scored the last 5 points of the first quarter for the Hawks to close the gap some, but at 1Q time the Breakers still led 25-16. A four-point play by Tim Coenraad (Reuben Te Rangi getting him as he made a triple) closed the gap some more and before long the hosts had their first lead.

And then Rhys Carter immediately nailed a three and dished one to Uncle Kenny for a quick shot of momentum. 47-43 up at the half.

Again the Breakers got off to a quick start, this time through Tai Wesley and Mika Vukona. A Jahii Carson three-ball tied it up at 59 but the Hawks were never able to grab a lead, Ibekwe scoring the next couple buckets, and although the Hawks did stay close enough to tied it up again with 88 seconds left to play, it was the visitors that closed. Cedric Jackson cutting to the basket to finish, followed by Wollongong’s Gary Ervin missing from deep for the lead and free throws did the rest.

Cedric was sloppy on this night but he came through when he was most needed. Pure Cedric. Although his 9p/4r/5a game was below his usual standards. Mika Vikona, of all people, top scored with 17. Along with 5 boards and 3 assists and a pair of crucial free throws right at the end. Corey Webster scored 15 shooting 6-11 with 6 assists and Tom Abercrombie scored 10 (and 5 rebounds) on 6 shot attempts. Rhys Carter had a good time of it off the bench too with three triples in his 13 points plus 3 assists and 3 rebounds. Plus 11 points for Uncle Kenny Ibekwe and 11 for Tai Wesley. Al solid stuff on the road.

Five of the Breakers’ final seven games are a home. Win a chunk of them and home-field advantage through the playoffs is there for the taking.

Stocks:

Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – Mika Vukona, last year’s FBR MVP, gets the full 3 point haul for only the second time this season. He’s a stunning player who is never afraid to do the dirty work and that’s so unbelievably crucial on a good team. He doesn’t need or even want the plaudits, but he gets them here anyway. By the way, Mika also has the most offensive rebounds in the ANBL this season.

Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – Only five minutes on the floor for Alex Pledger. He’s fast becoming the forgotten man of this team as his injury continues to quieten him while others step up around him. This was the least court-time he’s had in a game all season.

Key Stat

22 assists in this game for the Breakers. Cedric Jackson is the ANBL leader with 5.7 per game. There are better shooting teams and better rebounding teams. There is no better passing team.

Play of the Game

Rhys Carter glides down the lane before a lil shakin’ and bakin’ as he flips it to Uncle Kenny, who leads the league in field goal percentage and he simply doesn’t miss from there.