Box Score
MK Breakers: 108 (28, 51, 83, 108)
Teesside Lions: 69 (20, 45, 60, 69)
The MK Breakers advanced to the semifinals of the NBL Division 2 Playoffs with a convincing 108-69 win over Teesside Lions in front of another sold-out home crowd at Bletchley Leisure Centre.
Jordan Spencer led the Breakers with a monster triple-double of 22 points, 23 rebounds and 14 assists. He was well supported by Chris Tawiah who contributed 22 points and 10 rebounds. Blayne Freckleton added 15 points.
The hosts got off to a hot start against the Lions, who finished 4th in NBL Division 2 North this season. Nate Robinson opened the scoring for the Breakers with a pull-up jump shot, before Captain Spencer converted from beyond the arc. Tawiah asserted his dominance in the paint early on, his two early dunks sandwiched a Freckleton 3-pointer, forcing the visiting Lions in to an early timeout as they trailed 16-6.
Five quick points out of the timeout from Tom Horvat helped get the resilient Lions in to the game as they remained in touching distance at 28-20 after the first quarter.
A 15-5 start to the second quarter capped by a William Issekya 3-pointer saw the Breakers lead balloon to 18 points as they led 43-25 with 5:35 left in the half. The Lions once again fought back as Will Cousins answered immediately with a 3-pointer of his own. Faaris Mughal and Luke Mitchell added further 3-pointers for the visitors, and an end of quarter error from the Breakers saw Tom Horvat convert the Lions’ fifth score from beyond the arc of the second quarter. The Breakers headed to the locker room with a 51-45 lead, but the momentum was very much with the visitors.
SEMIFINAL TICKETS: MK BREAKERS VS ST HELENS SAINTS
As they did in the first two quarters, the Breakers started the third quarter brightly. Spencer found Tawiah for a thunderous dunk before Blayne Freckleton drained a 3-pointer and Nate Robinson converted a fast-break lay up. Horvat would respond for the Lions but Tawiah continued to dominate the paint and with an increased intensity on defence from the Breakers, the Lions struggled to get a foothold in the game as the hosts doubled up the Lions 30-15 in the period to take a commanding 81-60 into the final 10 minutes.
A 9-0 run in the first 90 seconds of the fourth quarter saw the Breakers lead increase to 30 at 90-60, and any hopes of a Teesside comeback looked doubtful. The visitors continued to battle until the end but Breakers once again dominated the quarter 27-9 as all 10 players registered on the scoresheet, as a Jomi Omowa lay up with 25 seconds left brought the home crowd to their feet.
The Breakers will be in action at Bletchley Leisure Centre for the final team this season as they welcome St Helens Saints next Sunday 21st April, 5pm tip off for the Playoff Semifinal. With a trip to Manchester for the NBL Division 2 Playoff Final up for grabs, it promises to be a thrilling encounter. The Saints finished second in NBL Division 2 North this season. Over 70% of tickets have already gone, you can secure yours HERE.
