Gleeson pleased with Sixers' ability to withstand barnstorming Breakers

The Sixers had a much better start than the poor showing last weekend against South East Melbourne and built a 14 point lead before going behind late in the game and steadying on the back of Cotton’s last quarter brilliance to win 108-101.

The captain finished with 31 points, six assists and a steal including 13 points in the decisive last quarter to guide his side across the line.

He was ably supported by Americans John Jenkins (21 points, two rebounds, two assists), Nick Rakocevic (17 points, 11 rebounds, five assists) and Zylan Cheatham (17 points, seven rebounds, two assists).

The result means the Sixers ended a run of four straight games on the road with a 3-1 record, much to the pleasure of coach Trevor Gleeson.

He paid tribute to Matt Kenyon's defensive efforts to restrict Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Keanu Rasmussen's key contributions in big moments, including hitting the final five points for his side.

“We knew the Breakers were going to fight back without a question,” Gleeson said of the second half fight back by the home side.

“They got a little bit hot, and we struggled a little bit offensively getting into some rhythm, but then we found it again in the fourth, and especially the last five minutes.

“I think it was tied up the last couple of minutes, and then we got some great quality looks, and Bryce was open, Keanu was open, and then sealed it on the foul line.”

After being punished by a slow start last time out against the Phoenix, the Sixers weren’t about to make the same mistake, signalling their intent in the opening play with Bryce Cotton hitting a seamless triple.

Cotton had 10 points in the opening period and Nick Rakocevic had six as Gleeson rotated his lineup with seven players hitting the scoreboard as the visiting side took a 28-24 lead into the first break.

They would build a 13 point advantage as the quarter progressed, even with Cotton and Zylan Cheatham spending the first couple of minutes on the bench.

Isaac White brought great energy and John Jenkins found his scoring range with eight points for the quarter as the Sixers took a 12 point lead into half time.

The Breakers were always going to fight back and with Sam Mennenga hitting some important triples and the crowd rocking, they piled on 28 points to 18 in the third period to close to within two points.

Former Sixer DJ Vasiljevic had the sides level within 25 seconds of the restart and the Breakers seemed to have all the momentum.

But, up stepped Cotton with 13 last quarter points to swing the tide, and when Keanu Rasmussen nailed a pocket three with less than 50 seconds to go the Sixers had the game.

Despite being pleased with the result, Gleeson remained confused by another technical foul called against him, saying he’d speak with umpires boss Scott Butler again during the week to seek clarity.

“(I’m) bamboozled,” he said. “Number one, I got the technical foul for using my arms, not anything - I didn't say swear, I didn't go mad at the official or be disrespectful, (just) using my arms…

“I use my hands. If you're going to take the passion away from the game, I'm going to get a technical foul every week. That's just ridiculous.

“You’ve got coaches, assistant coaches walking on the court. There's no technical foul, but I put my hands up and I get a technical foul.

“If they want to take the passion away from the game, I'm gonna have to go to my boss to ask for a pay rise to pay all these fines I'm getting in the team because I'm going to get one every week because that's the way I coach.”

The Sixers have no time to rest, with the opportunity to make it a double win weekend when they return home for the first time in a month to host the Brisbane Bullets on Sunday from 4:30pm ACDT.

The last remaining tickets are available at Ticketek.

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