36ers fall short to Breakers

New Zealand Breakers have snapped the Adelaide 36ers five-game home winning streak with an 85-83 win at the Entertainment Centre on Sunday afternoon.

In front of another record home crowd, Adelaide star import Ian Clark was unable to hit the winning three-pointer in the final seconds as the Breakers escaped with a two-point success.

The 36ers fought back again in the final quarter, trailing by as much as eight points in the last quarter, scoring the final seven points of the match, but came up short.

Robert Franks had a game-high 20 points and 13 rebounds, while Kai Sotto had a breakout game of 16 points and five rebounds.

Adelaide, coming off Friday night’s thrilling 103-95 win against Illawarra Hawks and playing in front of 9368 fans, had Sotto as a focus at both ends of the floor from the opening tip, scoring in the low block and changing shots defensively.

Brown Jnr started on target, scoring 10 opening quarter points as both sides’ defences were well on top early, the Breakers taking a 19-15 lead into the first break.

Cleveland and Franks made back-to-back tough plays to give the home side a 20-19 lead, but the Breakers then went on a 7-0 run to take a 26-20 lead.

Brown Jnr picked up his third foul of the first half, but that didn’t stop the Breakers’ intensity, Izayah Le’Afa scoring 11 first half points as the visitors opened a 32-25 advantage.

Adelaide rebounded just as quickly, when Dech stole the ball for a fast break layup, the game was tied again at 35-35.

A third foul for Cleveland sent the 36ers swingman to the bench and the Breakers took full advantage, scoring the 10 of the next 13 points to take a 45-38 lead into the main break.

After opening the third quarter with a three-pointer to cut the Breakers’ lead to four, Cleveland picked up his fourth foul and had to spend extended time on the bench.

Clark and Franks sparked the home side to cut the New Zealand lead to 51-50, but Jarrell Brantley took over the Breakers’ offense, scoring eight points in the third quarter as the visitors took a 68-63 lead into the final 10 minutes.

Adelaide found renewed energy at the defensive end to start the final quarter, but the visitors kept the lead through Brantley.

Sotto was a force on the low block, and threw two thunderous dunks, one from a Clark lob pass as the home side got within three points.

Brown Jnr connected on a tough three-pointer as the Breakers edged to a 82-74 lead with just under five minutes to play.

Cleveland was put back into the contest with his four fouls and the swingman again found his last quarter heroics, reducing the Breakers’ lead to just two points with a highlight dunk.

The 36ers had one final push, but Clark’s triple caught iron and New Zealand’s hold on second spot on the NBL ladder got stronger.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 85 (Brown Jnr 16, Brantley 15, Le’Afa 13) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 83 (Franks 20, Cleveland 18, Sotto 16) at Adelaide Entertainment Centre.

BOX SCORE