Match Report 12 Oct

Breakers v South East Melbourne Phoenix

BNZ Breakers Kiwi forward Sam Mennenga delivered a powerhouse performance, equalling his career best with 29 points, to go with 11 rebounds, but this was not enough to overcome the South East Melbourne Phoenix in a hard-fought contest at Spark Arena.

His stellar outing came on the heels of the BNZ Breakers' recent victory over the Illawarra Hawks, where the team had found its rhythm. However, despite Mennenga's individual brilliance, a late surge from the Phoenix and costly team turnovers prevented the Breakers from securing back-to-back wins.

Despite casting aside the challenge of with their domain defeat of the defending champions Illawarra Hawks on Wednesday night the BNZ Breakers were unable to repeat that performance on Sunday and went down 87-81 to Phoenix.

After a stirring second quarter effort, when they outscored their opponents 31-13, the BNZ Breakers led 46-34 at half-time with Sam Mennenga backing up his strong performance against the Hawks.

The Phoenix had the better of the third period although the Breakers still held the edge at the last break (65-62) and in a nervy final spell the scores were tied at 80 points apiece with 2:30 to play.

Tellingly the hosts were outscored 7-1 down the stretch with Nathan Sobey, Malique Lewis and Angus Glover taking it in turn to frustrate the largest home crowd seen this season with their game defining scores.

The BNZ Breakers won the rebounding count 47-39 and shot the ball marginally better than the Phoenix – 44% from the field and 30% from beyond the arc compared to 40% and 30% from the Melbournians. However the Breakers will rue the turnover count as they coughed up possession on 21 occasions compared with  just 9 indiscretions from the Phoenix.

Rob Baker gave Mennenga good support in the front court with 14 points, Parker Jackson-Cartwright added 9 assists to 9 points and Carlin Davison showed flashes of his potential with 5 points and 5 rebounds but it was a quiet night for many of the Breakers senior players.

In a game that saw 19 lead changes the Phoenix enjoyed a balanced scoring effort as Owen Foxwell top scored with 19 points, Nathan Sobey tallied 18, John Brown and Malique Lewis 13 points apiece and centre Jordan Hunter 10 points and 7 rebounds.

A fast paced opening quarter ended with the Phoenix scoring the last six points of the stanza to lead 21-15 at quarter time.

Seven points from Baker quickly wiped out the Phoenix lead and with Mennenga in dominating form in the paint the BNZ Breakers put together a 13-2 run to grab the ascendancy. When Izayah Le’afa drained a triple and Taylor Britt converted from inside the swing in the home team’s favour was 18 points and the half-time advantage 46-34.

The Phoenix jumped on the Breakers at the start of the second half scoring nine unanswered points and briefly held the lead after a Sobey make. Reuben Te Rangi, Rob Loe and Mennenga then steadied the ship to enable the Breakers to take a narrow 65-62 lead into the three-quarter time break.

The home team looked promising when Baker made consecutive baskets to stretch the lead to 8 points early in the fourth, but from there it was the Phoenix on the rise and the Breakers stumbling.

The BNZ Breakers have a shot at redemption with a third consecutive home game, on Friday 17 October, when they will entertain the Tasmania Jack Jumpers at Spark Arena.

Result:

BNZ Breakers 81 - Mennenga 29pts & 11rebs, Baker 14pts, Jackson-Cartwright 9pts & 9rebs

SEM Phoenix 87 – Foxwell 19pts, Sobey 18pts, Lewis 13pts, Brown 13pts, Hunter 10pts