Report: Ethan Jaiswal
Milton Keynes Breakers extended their unbeaten start to the NBL 3 campaign with a hard-fought victory against home-side Essex Rebels II. Breakers maintain pace with fellow league leaders University of Hertfordshire Storm leading up to the two’s imminent clash on 12th November, in what promises to be one of the most exciting weekends for Milton Keynes basketball in a number of years.
Breakers were met by a fiery, noisy home crowd as they stepped onto the floor of the Essex Sport Arena: a fixture of which saw the early stages of the game mirroring this sentiment. The Breakers’ co-leading scorer Dante Langley (23pts), who has been nothing short of electric this season, opened the night for the Breakers with their points of the night coming from the charity stripe. Rebels #14, Derek Ogiegor (10pts), responded early alongside teammates J. Otor (11pts) and M. Dayley (9pts) put the only Rebel points on the board in the quarter. Breakers, once again, came out of the gates strong as New Jr (23pts) knocked down a triple following back-to-back makes from Captain Jordan Spencer.
20% OFF TICKETS FOR 12th & 13th NOVEMBER
The Breakers’ defence was once again on full display, keeping the home-team to single-digits all while getting six of their own players on the scoresheet on. 9-21 in favour of the Breakers.
In the 2nd quarter, the already animated crowd was brought even further to life as the two sides traded baskets in a gritty, whistle-happy affair. Langley found much success in this quarter, scoring 12 of his team’s 18 including two triples. The Rebels held their own on their way to 17 of their own points, keeping the affair within reach – much to the delight of the home crowd. 26-39.
The third quarter was where the Breakers ran away with the game. Defensively, the MK-side were unwavering on defence: holding their opponents to a game-low 6 points and scoring an impressive 25 themselves. The visitors the game to bed on the back of offensive output from across the roster, with academy product William Issekya (15pts) making his presence felt alongside his more senior teammates in Langley and New Jr. 32-64.
The final quarter of the game saw both teams once again trading baskets, with the home-side actually pipping the Breakers by a point to win the quarter. But, as already stated, the Breakers had done their work early following a stellar defensive showcase in the previous quarter that allowed them to comfortably see out the remaining 10 minutes without ever being at risk of seeing the tides turn.
This victory provides the MK Breakers with some much-needed momentum heading into a colossal double-header next week that seems them face-off against fellow undefeated side, University of Hertfordshire Storm and NBL 1’s Bradford Dragons in the NBL cup.
20% OFF TICKETS FOR 12th & 13th NOVEMBER
It’s shaping up to be the biggest weekends for Milton Keynes basketball in several years, with the Breakers eager to claim the top spot of NBL 3 and continue their so-far devastating run in the Cup, of which has already claimed the campaigns of two higher division sides.
Tickets are available at a special 20% off rate for both fixtures at www.mkbasketball.club for a limited time, and with the Bletchley Leisure Centre looking to be sold-out for a 4th game in a row, make sure you grab yours before it’s too late.
