The Illawarra Hawks have recorded a dominant victory in their first home match of the season, never looking challenged as they took out a 21-point win over the New Zealand Breakers, whose start to the season continues on a downhill slope.
Coming into the game, the Breakers had managed to win one of their games in the first round, all be it rather unconvincingly against the Townsville Crocodiles, while the Hawks had gone down in both of their first round clashes making this an incredibly important game.
It looked like the Hawks were going to be in for another long night when the Breakers raced out of the gates early and the Hawks looked unable to get themselves into the game. However, in his first game against his old club, Kirk Penney opened the Hawks account with five straight free throws and from there they never looked back.
Once they took the lead, the Breakers were never allowed back into the game and the Hawks would be up by 13 by the end of the first quarter. Kirk Penney completely took over the match on his way to 36 points and was well backed up by AJ Ogilvy.
This theme would continue through the second quarter as the Hawks ran away with the game in what quickly turned into a blowout. For the Breakers their only sign of life came from Charles Jackson, while Tai Wesley also provided some offensive flare.
The third quarter was a much quieter quarter for both sides, the Hawks only scoring 15 points, to the Breakers 12. Penney was a fraction quieter as the bench players Tyson Demos, Larry Davidson and Jarrad Weeks really stood up to keep the Hawks in the lead.
On numerous occasions the Breakers looked like they were going to begin pulling it back, however every time they did a turnover would be made, a few empty possessions would occur or they would commit a foul.
Their general sloppiness made it easy for the Hawks, as did the quiet game from Cedric Jackson.
The game already looked over at the final break, however when they came back out and Kirk Penney got back to his first half play, along with AJ Ogilvy stepping up his game the Breakers were never going to be a chance to come back into it.
The Hawks would control the final quarter, defending incredibly well and showed they are going to be a team not to be messed with this season, particularly when Kevin Lisch and Rhys Martin come back into the side from injury.
So then, a huge win for the Hawks, their first of the season. They will now make the short trip north on Saturday to take on the Sydney Kings in what shapes as a huge game, while the Breakers travel west to take on the Perth Wildcats and continue their difficult start to the season.
Final score:
Illawarra Hawks 96
New Zealand Breakers 75
The Illawarra Hawks will chase their first victory of the 2015-16 NBL season when they play their first home game against the New Zealand Breakers who, it would be fair to say looked shaky in Round 1 despite picking up a win. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage of the match from 7:15pm (AEDT).
Both sides played two matches in round one, and even though the Breakers were the only side to register a win, it could well be argued that the Hawks looked to be the better side out of the two.
The Hawks, played what well could be the two best sides in the competition during round one. They opened their season in Cairns, taking on the Taipans. After being in what was a physical match for the most part, they didn’t execute well enough down the stretch and went down by five.
Just three days later and they travelled to Melbourne and took on United. It was another game they seemed to be in for the most part, however fatigue seemed to get to them in the back end and they fell away to lose by 12 points to a side that are certainly being considered as one of the premiership favourites.
Meanwhile, the Breakers played on opening night against the Adelaide 36ers in front of almost 5,000 people at the Adelaide Arena. It was a shocking start to the season for the new look Breakers who have lost Corey Webster to an NBL trial with the New Orleans Pelicans and they went down by 19 points.
They then had their first home game of the season taking on the Townsville Crocodiles and coming out on top by eight points in a less than dominant display.
Despite looking shaky, there were obvious signs of improvement for the Breakers and this was obviously helped along by the inclusions of Thomas Abercrombe and Alex Pledger who were out for the first match of their season.
The Hawks will look to play a brand of basketball with plenty of ball movement, with lethal options inside such as AJ Ogilvy, and from outside like Kirk Penney and Kevin Lisch.
If the Hawks can make their defence click on all cylinders, then it is hard to see where the Breakers are going to score enough points to win this one without Corey Webster for offensive production and creativity.
Prediction: This one should be a close match, but the Hawks should have the goods at home as the Breakers still try and adjust to life without Webster.
Hawks by 8.
Join The Roar for live coverage of the opening match in round two from 7:15pm (AEDT) and don’t forget to add a comment if you’re following along.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thanks for joining The Roar this evening for our live coverage of the 2015-2016 NBL Season and I hope you enjoyed the call as the Illawarra Hawks got a commanding victory over the New Zealand Breakers. Tomorrow night, the Sydney Kings host the Townsville Crocodiles and The Roar will have live coverage with Richard Payne from 7:15pm (AEDT) so be sure to join him then. I'll be back on Saturday night with coverage of the first reptile rumble for the season when the Cairns Taipans host the Townsville Crocodiles. Until then, It's goodnight and bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULLTIME: Illawarra Hawks 96 New Zealand Breakers 75 The Illawarra Hawks have record a dominating victory in their first home match of the season, never looking challenged as they took out a 21 point win over the New Zealand Breakers who's start to the season continues on a downhill slope. Coming into the game, the Breakers had managed to win one of their games in the first round, all be it rather unconvincingly against the Townsville Crocodiles, while the Hawks had gone down in both of their first round clashes making this an incredibly important game. It looked like the Hawks were going to be in for another long night when the Breakers raced out of the gates early on and the Hawks looked unable to get themselves into the game. However, in his first game against his old club, Kirk Penney opened the Hawks account with five straight free throws and from there they never looked back. Once they took the lead, the Breakers were never allowed back into the game and the Hawks would be up by 13 by the end of the first quarter. Kirk Penney completely took over the match on his way to 39 points and was well backed up by AJ Ogilvy. This theme would continue through the second quarter as the Hawks ran away with the game in what was turning into a blowout. For the Breakers there only sign of life came from Charles Jackson, while Tai Wesley also provided some offensive flare. The third quarter was a much quarter for both sides, the Hawks only scoring 15 points, to the Breakers 12. Penney was a fraction quieter as the bench players Tyson Demos, Larry Davidson and Jarrad Weeks really stood up to keep the Hawks in the lead. On numerous occasions the Breakers looked like they were going to begin pulling it back, however every time they did a turnover would be made, a few empty possessions would occur or they would commit a foul. Their general sloppiness made it easy for the Hawks, as did the quiet game from Cedric Jackson. The game already looked over at the final break, however when they came back out and Kirk Penney got back to his first half play, along with AJ Ogilvy stepping up his game the Breakers were never going to be a chance to come back into it. The Hawks would control the final quarter, defending incredibly well and showed they are going to be a team not to be messed with this season, particularly when Kevin Lisch and Rhys Martin come back into the side from injury. So then, a huge win for the Hawks, their first of the season. They will now make the short trip north on Saturday to take on the Sydney Kings in what shapes as a huge game, while the Breakers travel west to take on the Perth Wildcats and continue their difficult start to the season.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report will be up next.
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS LEADERS: Illawarra Hawks: Points: Kirk Penney (39), AJ Ogilvy (23), Kevin White (10) Rebounds: AJ Ogilvy (10), Oscar Forman, Larry Davidson, Cody Ellis (4) Assists: Tyson Demos (5), Kevin White (4), Kirk Penney, Cody Ellis (3) Blocks: AJ Ogilvy (2), Kirk Penney (1) Steals: AJ Ogilvy (4), Tyson Demos, Larry Davidson (2) New Zealand Breakers: Points: Charles Jackson (20), Tai Wesley (14), Shae Ili (11), Thomas Abercrombie (10), Rebounds: Charles Jackson (9), Reuben Te Rangi, Cedric Jackson (5) Assists: Cedric Jackson (5), Shae Ili (3) Blocks: Alex Pledger (2), Thomas Abercrombie (1) Steals: Shae Ili, Thomas Abercrombie (2)
Scott Pryde
Expert
STATS: Field Goals: Hawks (32/79 @ 40%), Breakers (27/59 @ 45%) Three Pointers: Hawks (14/33 @ 42%). Breakers (6/18 @ 33%) Free Throws: Hawks (18/22 @ 81%), Breakers 15/25 @ 60%) Rebounds: Hawks (33), Breakers (37) Assists: Hawks (20), Breakers (16) Steals: Hawks (11), Breakers (9) Blocks: Hawks (3), Breakers (3) Turnovers: Hawks (14), Breakers (25) Points in the Paint: Hawks (26), Breakers (20) Second chance points: Hawks (13), Breakers (7) Points off turnovers: Hawks (22), Breakers (9)
Scott Pryde
Expert
SCORING BREAKDOWN: FIRST QUARTER: Illawarra Hawks 32 - New Zealand Breakers 19 SECOND QUARTER: Illawarra Hawks 27 - New Zealand Breakers 21 THIRD QUARTER: Illawarra Hawks 15 - New Zealand Breakers 12 FOURTH QUARTER: Illawarra Hawks 22 - New Zealand Breakers 23 OVERALL: Illawarra Hawks 96 New Zealand Breakers 75
Scott Pryde
Expert
Full report and stats on their way! Stay tuned.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Man of the Match is KIRK PENNEY
Scott Pryde
Expert
Thoughts on that game Roarers? Hawks way too good and more worrying signs for the Breakers.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL TIME Both teams trade missed three s before Demos controls, finds Jameison, goes for the shot from behind the arc which misses and that will be that! What a win for the Hawks! They take it by 21. Hawks - 96 Breakers - 75
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' The Breakers knock a long bomb down through McDonald before they work it up through Demos. Coenraad backs down in the post and misses before Te Rangi misses a three. They get the board and McDonald misses from inside. 30 seconds to go. Hawks - 96 Breakers - 75
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' The Hawks look to head down the floor and there is an awkward looking contest for the ball on Demos as the Breakers knock it out. The Hawks go to Coenraad who knocks it down from deep in traffic. Hawks - 96 Breakers - 72
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' McDonald knocks them both down from the strike. Hawks - 93 Breakers - 72
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 1' The Breakers hit from inside before White finds Davidson and he misses the jump shot. Jameison commits a foul going the other way. Hawks - 93 Breakers - 70
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 2' The Hawks race down the floor and go inside to Jamieson who misses the shot, but the Breakers lose it out of play after the board. Hawks miss a three from outside before McDonald works it down for theBreakers. He lobs it inside and the Hawks come up with it before White goes baseline, then swings it out to Penney hits it for 3. Hawks - 93 Breakers - 68
jamesb
Guest
Go the Hawks!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 3' Bartlett races down the floor and misses before the Hawks go the other way and Penney pulls up behind the arc, letting lose with a three that hits. He has 36! The Breakers go inside to Charles Jackson and the shot clock expires. 25 turnovers for the Breakers and time out is called. Can the Hawks be the first team this season to get to the hundred? They have just over 3 minutes to go. Hawks - 90 Breakers - 68
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' The Hawks with some brilliant passes down the floor and Ogilvy needs two cracks at it, but hits the lay up from under the basket. Hawks - 87 Breakers - 68
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' The Hawks go to the corner for Forman before he throws a wonderful ball to Ogilvy who drops it in. Charles Jackson with a good finish for the Hawks before they send the ball out of play from a turnover. Hawks - 85 Breakers - 68
Scott Pryde
Expert
Q4 4' Ogilvy hits both from the line as Wesley is fouled out. Hawks - 83 Breakers - 66