Breakers defeated by Hawks in Wollongong

The Breakers struggled to find their rhythm, with a poor opening quarter leaving them trailing by 20 points at the first break.

It was a deficit they couldn’t recover from, unable to get their shots to drop and ending the game shooting just 35% from the field and 26% from beyond the arc.

Co-captain Parker Jackson-Cartwright led his side with 19 points, shooting 50% from the field and dishing out three assists. 

Center Tacko Fall put together a strong Breakers debut, making his presence felt with five blocks and five rebounds in 14 minutes on the floor.

The Hawks’ balanced attack proved the difference. Lachlan Olbrich was unstoppable, delivering a game-high 21 points on 88% shooting in just over 13 minutes off the bench. 

Illawarra also dominated in the paint, outscoring the Breakers inside 52-28 and winning the rebound count 51-33.

Head coach Petteri Koponen said his side got outrun by the pace and clinical execution of the Hawks.

“We didn’t play well and it was our basic things that let us down. They are the fastest team in the league and our transition defence wasn’t there tonight,” he said.

“We didn’t have patience to play together and couldn’t find the advantages, and it doesn’t help when you don’t hit shots.

“There are never excuses - we need to get better and prepare for Sunday.”

The BNZ Breakers (7-4) now travel to Perth ahead of their match against the Wildcats on Sunday at 6.30pm (NZT).