Report: Ethan Jaiswal
The MK Breakers have progressed to the 4th stage of the NBL National Cup following another formidable performance against D2 side Encon Derbyshire Arrows, their second victory against a team from a higher division this season in less than a month. The Breakers showed their mettle against the home-side in what was an exciting encounter that saw Dante Langley explode for 40pts on an efficient 52 FG%.
Opening the scoring on the evening was Arrows’ Joseph Baugh who drained a three-pointer to get his side off the mark. A strong response from the Breakers saw Freckleton, Langley and captain Jordan Spencer all score from range before a smooth lay-up from Mike New Jr allowed the Breakers take the lead 10-11, halfway through the 1st quarter.
A lapse in defensive intensity and concentration allowed the Arrows to find their feet in the game and charge out to a 28-19 lead just as the quarter was coming to a close; thankfully for the Breakers, big-man Luke Gregory went coast-to-coast to bring the Milton Keynes side within 7. 28-21.
TICKETS: MK BREAKERS VS ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY – 29th OCTOBER, 5PM
Heading into the second quarter, Coach Beddow’s side changed their point of attack to place more emphasis on the interior: putting the Arrows on five team fouls with 7:56 left on the clock. With the home side now forced to play less aggressively on the defensive end, the Breakers were able to work their way back into the game with a 13-6 run, eventually tying the game at 34. The Arrows’ 2nd leading scorer, Aaron Moseley, responded instantly with back-to-back triples, pushing the lead out to 49-42 with just seconds left on the clock.
However, Dante Langley was to have the last say of the half as he sunk a three on the sound of the buzzer, bringing the Breakers to within 4 to end the quarter. 49-45.
TICKETS: MK BREAKERS VS ANGLIA RUSKIN UNIVERSITY – 29th OCTOBER, 5PM
A stronger defensive display from the visitors saw them hold the Arrows to 16 points for the quarter: their lowest tally of the game. Offensively, the Breakers were also strong, putting 26 points on the board with more of the same from Langley, who proved too much to handle for the Arrows as he got to the charity stripe with ease (12/14 FTs). Academy player William Issekya made his stamp on the game with a big 3-point shot to extend the Breakers lead out to 12.
The home side refused to go down quietly: with coach Kelly opting to use a smaller lineup which knocked down three triples consecutively to put the game back to a one possession differential. Man on fire Dante Langley responded with a tremendous effort to finish through contact and make the bonus shot, followed by a great interior play from Scott Graves that pushed the lead back to 6 points in favour of the Milton Keynes contingent. 65-71.
Opening the scoring for the Breakers in the 4th was forward Mike New Jr who knocked down a triple to add a cushion onto their lead. What followed was an offensive onslaught, brought about by six straight points for Langley and a crucial triple by Milton Keynes product Blayne Freckleton who ended the night on 21 points. Hamza Ibrahim, the Arrows’ leading scorer with 22, responded with a three of his own but it was too little too late as Langley, still unguardable, scored 8 straight points that put his tally for the night on 40. Guard Malik Griffith-Johnson converted the and-one at the conclusion of the fixture to put the Breakers into triple figures: 85-101.
Following this victory, the Breakers will now face their toughest challenge yet against NBL 1 side Bradford Dragons in the 4th round of the NBL National Cup, a match-up that will take place at Bletchley Leisure Centre on 13th November, 5PM tip off. A game that will be certain not to disappoint.
So far the Breakers are yet to lose a game in this 22/23 campaign and are looking to maintain their hot streak as they prepare to face Anglia Ruskin University on Saturday 29th October, 5PM at Bletchley Leisure Centre. Tickets on sale here.
