Basketball: Tigers claw back to end Breakers season

The New Zealand Breakers hopes of going through to the ANBL finals were dashed after a losing to the Melbourne Tigers 97-103. Photo / Getty Images.

Tigers 103
Breakers 97

The Melbourne Tigers will get a chance to defend their Australian National Basketball League title after a stunning come-from-behind victory over the New Zealand Breakers here tonight.

Down 20 points at one stage in the first quarter, the Tigers slowly clawed their way back into the match before stealing a 103-97 victory.

The result gave them a 2-0 victory over the Breakers in their best-of-three semifinal series and earned them a final against either the South Dragons or the Townsville Crocodiles next week.

The Breakers made a flying start thanks to aggressive defence and scored 13 points before the Tigers were on the board, courtesy of two Tony Ronaldson three-pointers and extras from Kirk Penney and CJ Bruton.

They looked like going into quartertime with a 20-point lead before a three-pointer on the buzzer from Melbourne's Daryl Corletto brought the score to 33-16.

It was a different story in the second quarter as the defending champions came out more aggressively, with Ebi Ere and bench player Stephen Hoare leading the way.

The Tigers dragged the margin back to seven midway through the quarter, but two unexpected three-pointers from Breakers bench centre Tim Behrendorff helped the home side take a 60-49 lead into halftime.

A 10-5 run then gave the Breakers a 16-point lead at the beginning of the third quarter and forced the Tigers into an early timeout.

It seemed to do the trick as some shooting magic from Ere and David Barlow, who was in foul trouble, and strong defence brought the Tigers back into the match.

A miracle basket from Corletto on the three-quarter buzzer left them behind just 79-81 at the last break.

Four quick points put the Tigers in front for the first time early in the quarter.

The Breakers seemed bereft of scoring options and a 12-2 scoring run from the Tigers gave them the upperhand.

The New Zealanders briefly threatened to come back but an Ere three-pointer with one minute remaining effectively sealed the result.

Ere, Barlow and Chris Anstey were strong for the Tigers along with Hoare, who played a big part in launching their comeback.

Bruton and Dillon Boucher were among the best for the hosts.

- NZPA