Breakers beat United in Melbourne Blitz
A significant win for the NZ Breakers in their final pre-season hit out in Melbourne, backing up less than 48 hours after running down the South East Melbourne Phoenix, they scored a gutsy 90-86 win over Melbourne United.
Wthout star point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, off-season signing Kouat Noi, and then losing American import Josiah-Jordan James after a minute to a hamstring injury.
LATEST HEADLINES:
The club’s third win from four in pre-season was led by dominant big man Sam Mennenga who finished with 26 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 block.
Canadian centre Charles Bediako was a willing partner in the paint, finishing with 14 points, 5 rebounds, 3 steals and 1 massive block with the game on the line late in the final quarter.
Young point guard Preston Le Gassick combined with the experienced Izayah Le’afa to run the point in Jackson-Cartwrights absence, Le Gassick ending with 6 points, 4 rebounds, and 5 assists as he grows into the NBL.
Le’afa was playing just his second game since returning from months out with a broken foot and posted 6 points, 10 assists, and 3 steals in another strong showing, his presence on defence in particular lifting his side in critical moments.
The Breakers rebounded from a slow start and the loss of James to lead at the end of the first quarter 25-24, with Mennenga already up to 9 points. They extended that lead to 53-46 at the main break, Mennenga now with 17 and the team shooting at 58% from the floor, Melbourne kept in it by veteran Chris Goulding’s 14 points including 4 of 6 from deep.
The third quarter saw the expected fightback from Melbourne, who at one point retook the lead, but not for long as the Breakers reasserted their dominance to lead by three going into the final quarter.
Despite Melbourne threatening, the Breakers showed great composure down the stretch and importantly for coach Gordie Herbert, the ability to play some lock down defence when it mattered most.
The After missing the two games at NBL Blitz 26, Sam Mennenga has hit the ground running in the two wins in Melbourne, playing good minutes and posting big numbers as he warms up for a huge NBL26 campaign.
NZ Breakers 90 (Sam Mennenga 26 points, Charles Bediako 14 points, Reuben Te Rangi 11 points, Tukaha Cooper 9 points) Melbourne United 86 (Chris Goulding 26 points, Fabijan Krslovic 12 points, Joe ingles 12 points)
