Breakers controlled win away over Adelaide
The Breakers have secured an 88-72 away win over the Adelaide 36ers for their third win of the NBL season in a contest where they looked assured throughout the game
They led for 35:54 of a game played in front of a full house in Adelaide, with the 36ers fighting for their lives on the back of defeat in Wollongong two nights ago, but this Breakers team showed they might be something special in a stunning road win.
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Urged by head Coach Gordie Herbert to be aggressive from the outset, the Breakers were fastest out of the blocks, led by two former 36ers in Mojave King (playing his 100th NBL game) and DJ Vasiljevic who had 8 and 10 points respectively, for a 23-19 first quarter lead.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright then flexed his considerable all round offensive game in the second quarter, with 16 points scored in every way you can think of and with Vasiljevic and Noi both draining triples, the lead was six at the main break and the home fans were getting a little edgy.
Adelaide made a run in the third, led by Bryce Cotton’s eight points and big man Nick Rakocevic in the paint, but still entered the final quarter down 57-60 and well within reach of the Breakers.
But the Breakers took control, totally dominating the final quarter, with the irrepressible Jackson-Cartwright finishing one rebound short of a rare NBL triple double.
Sam Mennenga showed his extensive skill set in bringing the ball up the floor and banging bodies with the Adelaide big men to finish with a hard earned 14 points, 5 rebounds, and 4 assists on 6 of 11 shooting.
Vasiljevic and King shot superbly from deep for 18 and 15 points respectively on a combined 7 of 13 from three. Carlin Davison was again a presence at both ends of the floor, with a memorable alley-oop on an inbounds play one of many daggers thrust by the Breakers into the Adelaide faithful.
Kouat Noi was also productive from the bench in his best outing of the season as he continues to emerge after pre-season injury concerns to contribute 8 points and 4 rebounds, including 2 of 3 from deep.
While much of the attention will be on the offensive effort, Mojave King led a team effort shut down of multiple league MVP winner Bryce Cotton, reducing the 36ers point guard to 19 points on 8 of 18 shooting – and crucially 5 turnovers.
The BNZ Breakers move to 3 and 2 on the season and head home tomorrow for two days, before hitting the road to Perth on Thursday ahead of a run of four further road games before their next home game against the 36ers at Spark Arena on October 30.
Adelaide 36ers 72: Nick Rakocevic – 29 points, 16 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 steals; Bryce Cotton 19 points, 6 assists; John Jenkins III – 8 points, 3 rebounds; Zylan Cheatham – 8 points, 5 assists; Isaac White – 6 points, 3 rebounds
BNZ Breakers 88: Parker Jackson-Cartwright – 27 points, 10 assists, 9 rebounds;
Mojave King – 18 points, 3 rebounds, 4/8 3PT; DJ Vasiljevic – 15 points, 5 rebounds, 3/5 3PT; Sam Mennenga – 14 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists; Kouat Noi – 8 points, 4 rebounds
