Humphries stars, but Breakers too hot for 36ers

Adelaide 36ers have started the NBL Blitz campaign with a 101-75 loss to New Zealand at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Sunday afternoon.

The Breakers took control of the contest with a sizzling 39-19 second quarter display which was the catalyst for the 26-point success.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright led the way for New Zealand, scoring 17 points, dishing eight assists, and picking up four steals, while Cam Gliddon could not be stopped from beyond the arc, added a team-high 19 points on 100 per cent shooting. 

Isaac Humphries was prominent for Adelaide, scoring a game-high 22 points and grabbing seven rebounds in a performance which turned back the clock, while Jason Cadee fought hard for 11 points and three assists.

The Breakers, who were without star point guard Will McDowell-White (hand) and Next Star swingman Mantas Rubstavicius (groin), started on fire after Mitch McCarron opened the scoring, hitting four of their first five shots.

Cadee felt right at home back on the Gold Coast, coming off the bench for back-to-back lay-ups to bring the margin back to a basket. He then swished a three-pointer to give Adelaide the lead and the found Jacob Wiley on the break, who threw down a thunderous dunk for a 15-12 advantage.

Missing Trey Kell (knee) and Tohi Smith-Milner (illness), the 186cm guard scored nine opening quarter points to put the 36ers on his back with scores tied 17-17 at the first break.

New Zealand turned up the heat to open the second quarter, scoring eight straight points to open up a 25-19 lead, forcing CJ Bruton into a time-out.

The Breakers continued to pile on the points as the 36ers offense stalled, Gliddon catching fire from beyond the arc to open up a 45-23 lead.

Humphries started to make an impact around the basket, finishing at the rim for eight opening half points but New Zealand took a 56-36 lead into the main break.

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The 211cm big man continued his fantastic game, doubling his scoring output within the first half of the third quarter as Adelaide started to claw back into the contest.

Sunday Dech changed the momentum of the contest at the defensive end and Jamaal Franklin started to find the basket as the 36ers cut the margin back to 66-53.

Cadee continued his great game, finding Kyrin Galloway for a highlight alley-oop dunk, but the Breakers turned for home 73-59 leaders.

Humphries showed why he is arguably the biggest piece to Adelaide’s roster, but the Breakers’ second quarter avalanche was too much to catch up.

Adelaide will be back in action at the NBL Blitz on Tuesday night with a clash against Perth Wildcats.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 101 (Gliddon 19, Jackson-Cartwright 17) def ADELAIDE 36ERS 75 (Humphries 22, Cadee 11) at Gold Coast Convention Centre.

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