Iverson provides blueprint for Breakers

The Breakers need more of what import centre Colton Iverson brought in Brisbane last Saturday night if they’re to turn their ailing Australian NBL season around.

A lot more of it, to be frank, with the red-hot Perth Wildcats up next tomorrow.

Iverson was inspirational as Dan Shamir’s Breakers snapped their fourgame losing streak to secure a muchneeded 81-76 overtime victory over the Brisbane Bullets to creep to 5-11 for the season – still a long way off the fourth and final playoff spot currently occupied by the 10-8 South East Melbourne Phoenix.

The Breakers have time on their side, with the league extended to 36 games for 2021, but the turnaround has to come soon.

Iverson’s 10 points and a club recordequalling 20 rebounds on Saturday should serve as a timely jolt for his team-mates who will soon have three key personnel additions to provide impetus.

Star scorer Corey Webster is due back soon from his knee injury, new Aussie signing William McdowellWhite is out of managed isolation and training with the squad and new backcourt import Levi Randolph will join him by week’s end.

Mcdowell-white might be the only one of that trio available to suit up against the Cats in Perth.

Iverson, the 31-year-old 2.13-metre centre from South Dakota, made it clear the Breakers aren’t waving any white towels at this stage, with his own unlikely turn against the Bullets an indiction of that.

The big American, who has already gritted his way through a facial injury this season, had badly rolled his ankle and been in amoon boot on the morning of the Bullets game.

So unlikely did he figure his prospects were of playing he did not even take his game high-tops to the arena with him.

‘‘From what we saw how his ankle looked, we really didn’t believe he would play,’’ noted coach Dan Shamir. ‘‘That was amazing. Hat’s off to his effort and also our medical staff who did an incredible job to put him on his legs for the game.’’