Breakers lose after fading in fourth quarter
BASKETBALL
WELLINGTON: The Breakers were overrun in the last quarter in their 7567 ANBL loss to the Illawarra Hawks in Launceston, Tasmania, on Monday night.
The Breakers led for most of the match and were behind by just one heading into the final quarter, but Illawarra finished stronger. It is a result that all but ends the Breakers hopes of making the playoffs.
Tom Abercrombie (14 points, four rebounds) and Tai Webster (14 points, five assists) paced the Breakers while William McDowellWhite, who tallied 13 points, five rebounds and three assists, was a strong contributor in the absence of a hamstrung Levi Randolph .
It was not enough, though, and it just might have slammed the door shot on the Breakers’ hopes of storming into the finals.
Disappointed Breakers coach Dan Shamir admitted fatigue got the best of his side after playing five games in 10 days.
‘‘We really struggled with our offence [in the second half] with turnovers and our shotmaking. Maybe there was a little bit of fatigue.
‘‘We tried to do the right things, and at the end of the game. We didn’t do them exceptionally great in the second half, but it was already a bit of a mess.
Shamir said Randolph has suffered a minor hamstring tear and would miss some games, although it is unknown exactly when he will return.
Illawarra Hawks 75 (Tyler Harvey 29, Justin Simon 12, Sam Froling 11), New Zealand Breakers 67 (Tai Webster 14, Tom Abercrombie 14, W McDowellWhite 13).