Breakers overtime NBL win against Bullets
The Breakers have scored an overtime on the back of 36 points from DJ Vasiljevic and a triple double from point guard Carlin Davison as they got back to winning ways 94-90 over the Brisbane Bullets.
In a determined backs to the wall effort, Vasiljevic scored 36 points (12/20FG, 9/10FT) and Davison lit up Spark Arena with 19 points, 12 rebounds and 13 assists – just the third Breaker to ever produce such a performance (Cedric Jackson and William McDowell-White the others).
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After the scores were locked at 79-all in regulation it was fitting that the starring duo decided the contest in the Breakers favour. Vasiljevic scored 10 points in the additional five minutes, and Davison produced the assists that enabled Charles Bediako to convert a couple of alley-oop dunks.
Bediako put aside his tender lower back to finish with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals and 2 blocks while Sam Mennenga added 9 points to 10 rebounds.
There were also important performances from the defensive anchors Reuben Te Rangi (7 points and 3 rebounds) and Nelson Weidemann (6 points and 5 rebounds).
For the Bullets Tall Blacks centre Tyrell Harrison led the way with 22 points, ably supported by guards Nate Hinton (18 points) and Raul Neto (20 points).
In a sign of things to come Davison drilled a three on the first possession of the game and although Weidemann added a corner three eight points from Neto helped the Bullets to a 24-14 quarter time lead.
In a much improved second period showing a Te Rangi 4-point play reduced the margin to seven points and after a Mennenga make it was 33-27 with four minutes to play in the quarter.
A flurry of points from Vasiljevic – 10 points in the half from the Australian sharpshooter – enabled the Breakers to edge ahead 40-38 although a Harrison dunk, sent the teams to the locker room with proceedings all square.
Upon the resumption Vasiljevic continued his hot shooting with Harrison pacing the Bullets effort.
When Te Rangi made his 300th NBL career three-pointer the Breakers led 54-53 and although the Bullets scored seven straight a trio of Mojave King free-throws kept the Breakers within striking distance – down 62-60 with a quarter to play.
A Davison three briefly restored the Breakers lead before the Bullets scored ten unanswered points. Davison stopped the run with a thunderous dunk and when he repeated the dose following a steal it was a two-point game with four minutes to play (73-71).
It became 76 points apiece with 1:55 to play and after a pair of free-throws from Vasiljevic the Breakers led 78-76 only for Aucklander Taine Murray to drain a triple with 37 seconds to play for the Bullets. Vasiljevic made one of two freebies in reply, but the Breakers turned in a huge defensive play to force a turnover and overtime ensued.
Undaunted the Breakers held their nerve in the additional period the winning improving their record to 5-8, much to the delight of the noisy home crowd.
Facing a schedule of four games in nine days BNZ Breakers are next in action on Sunday when they visit top of the table Sydney Kings before returning home to take on South East Melbourne Phoenix, in a fixture that doubles as an Ignite Cup tie, on Wednesday November 18 at Spark Arena.
BNZ Breakers 94 - DJ Vasiljevic 36pts; Carlin Davison 19pts, 12rebs & 13asts; Charles Bediako 12pts & 7rebs; Sam Mennenga 9pts & 10rebs; Reuben Te Rangi 7pts; Nelson Weidemann 6pts
Brisbane Bullets 90 - Nate Hinton 18pts; Raul Neto 20pts; Tyrell Harrison 22pts; Taine Murray 7pts
