Last- second Newbill basket gives Breakers first win
A last- second DJ Newbill game- winner has put the New Zealand Breakers on the board in the Australian National Basketball League.
With the game tied and three seconds remaining, Newbill drove to the lane, converting an and- one layup to dethrone the Sydney Kings and give the Breakers an 87- 85 victory for their first win of the season.
Newbill’s heroics continued Sydney’s horror run in New Zealand — there’s something about the transtasman journey which transforms the Kings into paupers.
They’ve now won just two of their last 15 games in New Zealand, a record further diminished, despite a storming second half comeback.
The Kings came from 14 down to level the scores, but Newbill’s bucket — part of a 22- point display — was supplemented by Kirk Penney and Shea Ili to get the Breakers over the line. Penney hit six threes in a 25- point outing, while Ili’s all- around production helped the Breakers overcame a sluggish first quarter to — eventually — clinch the win.
Such a balanced offence is likely what the Breakers will require this year to be successful. Paul Henare’s side doesn’t have a player who can be consistently counted on for offensive outbursts, instead relying on a roster which goes at least nine deep with solid contributors.
After Tom Abercrombie and Edgar Sosa were the main offensive options in their opener against the Cairns Taipans, this time, it was a new trio to boost the Breakers.
After a week where he was felled by illness, Penney’s quick, consistent release from three- point land was the initial spark for the hosts.
“I felt pretty light — everything had been squeezed out of me all week,” he laughed.
His contributions gave the Breakers their first lead of the game, and Ili came off the bench to extend it, with his career- high scoring night helping stretch the Breakers’ advantage to 13 by halftime.
Henare was pleased his side had multiple players who could step up to shoulder the offensive load.
“We can be multi- dimensional in terms of teams scouting us. I do think we have guys on any different night who can put points on the board. It gives confidence to anyone who steps on the floor.”
The Kings slowly chipped away at the Breakers’ lead, but Penney’s continuing production and Newbill’s impressive isolation scoring kept the Breakers in front. That was, however, until the final seconds, when a Perry Ellis tip- in created the possibility of overtime. However, Newbill ghosted past his defender, went to the rim, and made sure he’d make a memorable early mark in his Breakers career.
Henare talked up the composure of his squad to grind out the win.
“Sydney are a good team — they did a good job at putting pressure on us towards the end, but I was proud of the guys for hanging tough. To have that composure at the end, I’m really proud of the guys.”
The Breakers can quickly build on their success, with their next clash on Thursday, at the same venue, against the same team. They will be hoping for the same result. New Zealand Breakers 87 ( Penney 25, Newbill 22, Ili 15). Sydney Kings 85 ( Ellis 19, Lisch 17, Leslie 15). Halftime: 54- 41.