Report: Ethan Jaiswal
The MK Breakers are surging with momentum at a crucial point in their NBL 3 East campaign, defeating Anglia Ruskin University 102-55 to take them to 12-0 on the season and extending their lead at the top of the table. Big nights from Dante Langley (25 pts), Jordan Spencer (21 pts) and Blayne Freckleton (17 pts) meant the Breakers took care of business as they have done all season long.
Tickets: MK Breakers vs Essex Rebels – 11th February
The 1st quarter saw a perimeter shooting masterclass from the travelling Breakers, who converted six triples shared across four separate players, including breakout academy star Buai Luak. Another stellar defensive display in this period kept ARU to only 8 points, the team sitting in 4th place in the league table. After picking up an injury in the Breakers’ NBL cup semi-final tie, Blayne Freckleton appears to be back at full fitness: achieving a trademark shooting clinic, going 5/9 from 3-point range, an absurd 55.6%. 8-28.
Dante Langley would open the scoring for the Breakers in the second quarter with a put-back layup. Langley scored an impressive 11 total in the period; an integral piece of the Breakers’ offence this season, he’s in great rhythm as the season enters its latter stages and the title race heats up. A few plays later saw Langley make a signature two-handed dunk in transition from a bullet-like quarterback pass from Luke Gregory who found his teammate in the open court. Ultimately, the game was won in this quarter by a strong defensive showing that resulted in the hosts scoring only 20 points over the first two quarters. 20-49.
Coming out of halftime, it was much of the same for the Breakers with captain Spener opening the scoring. Spencer put his elite playmaking on display once again posting 12 assists on only 3 turnovers on the night. Spencer has achieved double-digit assist numbers in the Breakers’ last two games, cementing why he is the premier point guard of the division. Another showcase of the Breakers’ elite offence came in the form of another exposive quarter for Langley, who added to his haul with another 13 points. 37-78.
Tickets: MK Breakers vs Essex Rebels – 11th February
With the lead comfortably at 41 entering the final quarter, Coach Beddow looked to his bench to close out the game. Eben Effah would score with a great effort play in which he ran the length of the court and followed up a miss with a close shot for an easy two. Effah followed this up with another great run on a fastbreak that led to a thunderous slam to put the exclamation point on the game. William Issekya and Gregory would also contribute in this quarter, the latter of whom pulled an impressive 12 rebounds and 3 steals to go alongside his 9 points. 55-102.
Overall, another well-executed gameplan gave the Breakers a comfortable victory at a key point of the season, the MK side are on-track for title-winning honours and will be looking to see out the remainder of the season undefeated with a huge fixture fast-approaching this coming weekend. They will take on the Essex Rebels II at home, a team in the middle of the standings who will be looking to give the Breakers their best shot as they posture for playoff positioning.
Ticket information for this upcoming home fixture, can be found here and make sure to follow our social channels to stay up-to-date on all things MK Breakers basketball.
