United extends Breakers’ misery
A THREE-POINT shooting masterclass from captain Chris Goulding has helped Melbourne United blow away the New Zealand Breakers 83-60 at John Cain Arena on Sunday.
After a quiet first half, Goulding erupted in the second, draining six of his seven triples to finish with a gamehigh 21 points to go with three rebounds and three assists.
Aside from being tested by the visitors in the second quarter, when New Zealand came back from 10 points down to get within a point (32-31), Melbourne was in control of the contest, and out-scored its opponent 49-29 after halftime.
Caleb Agada also played a key role for United with 20 points (7-14 from the field and 4-5 from three) while Jo LualAcuil was the dominant big man on the court with 12 points, nine rebounds and two blocks.
Finn Delany (14 points, nine rebounds) and Yanni Wetzell (12 points) were the standouts for the Breakers, who remain rooted to the bottom of the NBL ladder, having now lost their first five games of the campaign – their worst-ever start to a season.
After a slow start to the season, the result saw United even its win-loss ledger at 2-2, following its 89-47 thumping of Sydney on Thursday.
Melbourne’s pressure was a feature throughout the contest and played a key role in the Breakers’ poor shooting performance.
The visitors went at just 33 per cent from the field (23-69), including a woeful 18 per cent from three-point land (4-22) after missing their first eight attempts from long range.
United went at 48 per cent from the field (32-66) and 55 per cent from downtown (11-20). New Zealand also committed more turnovers (15-12).