MK Breakers Men secured their place in the BCB Trophy semifinals after an impressive 79-90 road victory over Reading Rockets at Loddon Valley Leisure Centre on Sunday.
The game went back and forth in the early going. The two teams exchanged baskets and the lead over the opening five minutes, but when Jordan Spencer drove to the rim and gave his side a 13-11 advantage, they would never look back.
Ahead from that point onwards, a five-point lead going into the final quarter would quickly grow into a dominant advantage as Dashawn Jackson and Chase Thompson made back-to-back threes without reply from Reading.
Thompson was then fouled as he made a layup, knocking down the free throw to put Breakers up by 14, with Jordan Spencer turning in an efficient performance that saw him score 25 points from just nine field goal attempts.
Going 4-6 from three and 7-of-7 from the free throw line, the captain also weighed in with six assists, three rebounds and a steal. But this was certainly a team win from a Breakers team who also got 23 points, five rebounds and two assists from Chase Thompson and saw Dashawn Jackson (12 points, 4 rebounds) make an impact at both ends of the floor.
Xavier Wilson did the same in limited minutes, while Blayne Freckleton came up big in the fourth, scoring six of his eight points just when the team needed him to help see out the victory.
Running out 90-79 winners, Breakers delivered what Head Coach Ben Stanley called “a much more concerted and connected performance” before going on to explain what pleased him most about the victory.
“We know Reading are tough, talented and well-coached,” he continued. “But we met that challenge and I thought we displayed a level of determination and togetherness that we hadn’t shown before Sunday.
“There are still some flaws in our execution at both ends, but that’s improving as guys figure out how they can best impact the offence. We made some big shots in big moments too, and putting all that all together gives us something to build on moving forwards.”
Advancing in the trophy means an away semifinal against COB Rockets, which will be played in place of the planned league game on 26th October, 5:30pm tip off, tickets available here. A new date will be set for the league game shortly.
Up next for Breakers is their first home game of the BCB season against London Cavaliers at Bletchley Leisure Centre on Sunday. Tip off is at 17:00, with tickets available here.