The final regular season game of the season saw MK Breakers Men travel to Loddon Valley Leisure Centre, taking on Reading Rockets as the newly crowned league champions celebrated finishing top of the British Championship Basketball table.
Having already made sweeping roster changes just a week ago, there was yet more turmoil for Head Coach Ben Stanley as veteran guard Blayne Freckleton was forced to miss this clash with illness.
That pushed MK5D Breakers Academy standout Kalvin Oates into the starting lineup, and he would take little time to make his presence felt, hitting Mike New Jr for a wide open three to get the game underway.
The visitors would trail for most of the game, but edged into a third quarter lead when Jonas Dieterich hit Oates for a three of his own and suddenly it became clear that this was a game that would go down to the wire.
With four minutes left to play in a tense fourth quarter, would keep the score close as Kai Williams hit a three followed by two free throws, Dieterich following up with a layup sandwiched between Jordan Spencer free throws.
Victor Olarerin scored a three, but then sent Oates to the line for three free throws with just 49 seconds left on the clock. Needing all three to tie the game, the hard-working 19-year-old delivered under pressure, only to see Olarerin and Yusef Salih grab late baskets to secure a win.
Despite the eventual 80-76 loss, the gritty performance gives plenty of reasons for optimism going into the playoffs. Williams led all scorers with 18 points despite taking just eight shots, while Dieterich weighed in with a 13-point, eight-rebound and four-assist display, Spencer adding 16 points, to his nine assists and five rebounds.
Up next is Saturday’s playoff quarter-final matchup with Nottingham Hoods, with tip off at Bletchley Leisure Centre at 17:00. Tickets are available here.