Basketball: Breakers remain on top

Mika Vukona led the Breakers with 17 points. Photo / Getty

Hawks 84
Breakers 86

A successful double-header against Wollongong has ensured the path is paved for the Breakers to once again claim the minor premiership.

The Kiwi club this afternoon repeated their efforts from the NSEC on Thursday to earn a tight and tough road win over the last-placed Hawks.

And now they have a realistic shot to repeat what they achieved for three years running and clinch home advantage throughout the playoffs.

The Breakers (16-5) currently have one fewer loss to their names than Cairns (14-6) and Perth (12-6) but, having seen less court time, the onus is on the Australians to turn their extra games into wins.

Just seven dates remain for the Breakers and five of those fixtures are on this side of the Tasman, where they have suffered just one defeat during the current campaign.

"It's always good to finish on a home stretch," said assistant coach Paul Henare. "But we're really conscious of making sure we don't take the foot off the pedal and we stay focused and energised for each of those games.

"We'll be playing against teams that are starting to get to desperation mode, so that'll be one of our challenges."

The odds of surviving those challenges will be strong if the Breakers stick with the team-first philosophy they displayed in Wollongong. The visitors shared the ball well and put six players into double figures, with the big men especially effective.

Mika Vukona, Ekene Ibekwe and Tai Wesley all thrived from mid-range, combining for an efficient 16-27 shooting to make up for a quiet night from Alex Pledger, who was restricted to five minutes.

Vukona (6-9) led his side with 17 points while both Ibekwe and Wesley finished with 11. A fast start from Corey Webster saw him chime in with 15 and Rhys Carter's 14 meant it was another effective night for the back-court.

And the Breakers did it all without the services of Dean Vickerman, who was struck by sickness and left Henare in charge. Vickerman certainly would have been pleased with what he first saw from his hotel room as, unlike in Thursday's overtime victory, the Breakers appeared fresh and eager in the opening five minutes.

Webster made his first four shots and scored 10 points to help his side to a nine-point lead by the end of the period before the Hawks chipped away at the Breakers' advantage and, aided by a big rebounding advantage, crept in front late in the half.

Wollongong's defence kept the margin close heading into the fourth and the home side locked it up with two minutes to play. But, with an upset brewing, Cedric Jackson skilfully drove to the hoop to put his side in front, Tai Wesley came up with a timely steal and Vukona pulled down a key offensive board to clinch victory.

Hawks 84 (Ervin 25, Coenraad 19, Carson 11)
Breakers 86 (Vukona 17, Webster 16, Carter 13)
HT: 43-47