Report: Ethan Jaiswal
The MK Breakers are through to the NBL 3 Playoff Final next Saturday after a dominant 99-56 win over the Cardiff Met Archers, setting up a final match up with the UEL London Lions. The final will take place at the National Basketball Performance Centre in Manchester at 1pm on Saturday 22nd April. Tickets to the event can be purchased here.
The Breakers will also be putting on a supporters bus, you can purchase your seat here, limited availability.
It was a stat-stuffing night for the Breakers’ star players: Dante Langley leading the way with 23 points, followed by Blayne Freckleton who had 21 of his own. Jordan Spencer posted a huge triple-double of 15 points, 12 assists and 11 rebounds.
Ultimately, the Breakers, as they have done all season long, proved to be too much to handle for the visitors and they now set their sights on a tantalising finals matchup against the #7 seeded UEL London Lions.
The visiting Archers would open the scoring in the fixture, following a drive to the basket from Panos Karras. This would be the Archers’ only lead of the game as the Breakers’ first quarter showing was an offensive blitzing on all fronts. Freckleton put the first points on the board for the Breakers, after being fouled on a 3-point shot. After draining all 3 and putting the Breakers ahead, Mike New Jr would score back-to-back baskets, setting the tone for what was to come.
Book your seat on the Official Playoff Final Supporters Bus
New Jr. had a huge first half for the Breakers, scoring 11 points that were crucial in maintaining control of the game. He would open the first quarter scoring with a close shot over two defenders, followed up by a Freckleton shot from beyond-the-arc, one of his 5 scored on the evening. The visitors in this period had their best scoring output of any, with 24. However, their inability to slow down the Breakers’ offence meant they were outscored by 1 and headed into the half down 21 points. 57-36.
The third quarter was much of the same, with the Breakers never seeming to falter or run out of steam. Langley, with his parents in attendance from the USA, had a flurry of 9 points in quick succession from all over the floor. Langley is the sole American player on the Breakers squad and has been nothing short of electric this season. He has regularly been one of the leading scorers for the MK side, and continued his dominance over D3 in this fixture, 78-48.
Book your seat on the Official Playoff Final Supporters Bus
With the game firmly in hand, Head Coach Billy Beddow ensured all his players stepped onto the floor for the final home game of the Breakers’ season. The final whistle would bring the audience to their feet, applauding the team’s efforts over the full season that saw them go 18-0, into the semi finals of the National Cup in a historic run, and now into the NBL 3 playoff finals. The team were presented with their league-winning medals and captain Jordan Spencer collected the plaque to also honour their efforts.
An undeinably great night for the MK Breakers in what has been a successful first season in the men’s NBL competition. However, the season is not over yet and the Breakers now look to add a final piece of silverware into the trophy cabinet to close out the 22/23 campaign.
