NZ Breakers 98-91 Wollongong Hawks (OT)

You wouldn’t think that this game was a top vs bottom clash, yet that’s exactly what it was and the Breakers got a fright right into overtime. But on a day like that there’s only one thing that matters and that’s the notch in the win column that was eventually, sometimes thrillingly and sometimes excruciatingly, forthcoming.

Goddamn, Rhys Martin, aye!? You can never quite count out a wily veteran, and somehow with 3 seconds on the clock when the inbounds was made, he was able to play the quick wall pass and get THIS open for the shot that took this game to overtime. NO!!!

Let’s jump back in time about an hour and a half. From the very start this was far from a pristine Breakers performance. There have only been a few of those this season, definitely not as many as in past successful seasons. We’re talking about those games that were never in doubt, blowing the oppo out early and cruising to a 15-20 point win on the North Shore or at Vector. You know why that doesn’t matter, though? Because they’re winning away from home too. Consistently.

Wollongong took the lead pretty early and held it for a lot of this match. They’re a team with a lot of weapons, not the least of whom being former MVP Gary Ervin, and it’s a surprise to see them propping up the table from the bottom. Only 3 wins this season, that’s a little misleading. They’ve had some tight, competitive games and this was one of them. Assisted by some slack Breakers shooting and a general lack of intensity to start.

Things were much improved in the second half. Cedric Jackson had a sloppy night of shooting, particularly his 1-8 from 3pt, though as he always does he found other ways to be effective. Down 6 at the break, an Abercrombie treble and a Cedric Jackson three-point-play tied things up within a minutes of the third quarter tip-off. They were tied once more entering the fourth, and despite a Tai Wesley jumper putting the Breakers in front and some Corey Webster free throws to seemingly ice it, they were tied again at the end of the fourth.

But in Overtime there was only one team in it. Foul trouble caught up with the Hawks and Cedric and Tommy took over. Game, set, match.

For the Breakers Cedric Jackson was a little bit of everywhere with 18p/7r/9a/6s. Six steals! Abercrombie had 16p/6r/4a, Vukona 13p/7r/5a and Webster a solid 15 points from only 8 shots. Plus quality off the bench from Uncle Kenny (10 points & 9 boards) and the ever-emerging Tai Wesley (11 points). The visitors were led by Rhys Martin’s 21 (15 of them in 4Q & OT), Gary Ervin’s 21 and Jahii Carson’s 17.

Stocks:

Movin’ On Up Like Curtis Mayfield – Coach Vickerman. He probably got off lightly last season with the goodwill remaining from the dynasty that he inherited, but regardless he’s shown plenty of signs of improvement in 2014-15. It’s not just the players that need time to learn and develop, coaching is a progressive thing too. Part of the success has been a much deeper squad of players although that’s a challenge for a coach in its own right. So kudos to Coach Vickerman, ANBL Coach of the Month for December.

Goin’ Down Slow Like Howlin’ Wolf – Let’s not forget that last week Rhys Carter hurt his hand so bad that it dislocated through the skins. So although he had a mare of a night, 4 points from 1-7 shooting (0-4 from 3pt), he can probably be excused for that. But Rhys Martin was his man on the final play of regular time. Whoops.

Key Stat

In the past 5 games, the Breakers are 24-90 from 3pt. That’s 26.67%. They’ve attempted at least 16 per game in that stretch. Amidst that all, Tom Abercrombie is 9-20 from deep in those games for 45%.

Play of the Game

It has to be this beauty. Not only for the thrill factor but for the time of the game it came in. Two crucial points, Thomas Abercrombie with the finish above the rim, assisted by Cedric Jackson. Yes, sir.

Match MVP Points

Cedric Jackson – 3

Tom Abercrombie – 2

Mika Vukona – 1

Season Standings

Cedric Jackson – 29

Ekene Ibekwe – 20

Corey Webster 19

Up Next

Sunday, 4pm: Wollongong Hawks vs NZ Breakers, WIN Entertainment Centre (NZT)