Fouls were the story of the first half, as both sides initially flattered to deceive amongst the whistles. With neither team competently defending the pick and roll, it was a procession to the paint for significant stretches. The result was a cacophony of collisions at the rim, and a wail of whistles from the referees.
26 first half fouls were whistled, with the Breakers' starters all picking up two by halftime. With the big guns temporarily sidelined, the Breakers had to rely on their rising star to step up, and Ili lit a spark with 15 first half points in just 11 minutes. Ili's play is getting to the point where the Breakers won't need an import point guard in the seasons ahead, and his efforts kept the Breakers in the contest in the early going.
The first half was as level as any game this season, with it proving exceptionally difficult to separate the two sides. Through the first 25 minutes of the game, neither team held a lead of more than five points, and constant lead changes ensured a tense tussle.
Brisbane were the first side to edge ahead, claiming a nine-point buffer as the Breakers could only muster four points in the first five minutes after halftime. However, Edgar Sosa stepped up to assist his point guard understudy, with some timely threes dragging the Breakers back level by the end of the third quarter.
Ili's efficient scoring night was soon supplemented by some creation, as he linked with Rob Loe for some crucial buckets. Loe had 12 points as the Breakers bench stepped up, contributing 47 points in total, but in the end, the game-sealing moments came from the starters.
DJ Newbill shrugged off his foul trouble to hit a big three and convert an and-one, and when the Bullets loaded their final chamber, Sosa stepped up to seal the deal, and keep the Breakers' winning streak alive.
Breakers 101 (Shea Ili 23, Edgar Sosa 19, Tom Abercrombie 13)
Bullets 96 (Perrin Buford 18, Travis Trice 15, Daniel Kickert 15)
HT: 49-50
