In an exciting game, the Illawarra Hawks pulled off the win in a double overtime victory over the resilient New Zealand Breakers.
Corey Webster lost the game for the Breakers, shooting some 3 pointers which really didn’t need to be forced, he clearly wanted to be the hero when some quick thinking was needed.
Kevin Lisch finished with 40 points for the Hawks while Cody Ellis chipped in 18 off the bench including the 3 that would send the game to overtime. Despite being fouled out, Andrew Ogilvy ended the game with 15 points and 12 rebounds.
New Zealand were unlucky to not be closer at the end of the game but as already mentioned lacked the clutch gene necessary for a game like this. Webster finished on 22 points on 28% shooting. Charles Jackson was a standout performer with 11 points and an outrageous 18 rebounds.
Final score
New Zealand Breakers 96
Illawarra Hawks 103
The New Zealand Breakers are out for redemption against the Illawarra Hawks in the last game of the NBL Heritage Round at the Vector Centre. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 3:00pm (AEDT).
The Hawks are coming off a comfortable 87-69 victory over the Breakers on Thursday night, once again lead by Kevin Lisch and Kirk Penney.
Lisch flirted with a double-double, scoring 16 points and grabbing eight rebounds, but it was Penney who stole the show, scoring 28 points – including 5 three-pointers from only ten attempts.
In the past three games, Penney has made 14 of his 23 attempted threes, good for 61 per cent from deep.
The Breakers meanwhile will be relying on league-leading scorer Corey Webster, who has been averaging 24.4 points over the past five games, including a huge 38-point effort against the Sydney Kings in Round 12.
They also need Cedric Jackson to continue attacking the basket and drawing fouls, as he ranks fourth in total free throws attempted this season. This will be key to which team wins, with Andrew Ogilvy and Oscar Forman both inside the top six for total fouls this season. If the Breakers can take Ogilvy out of the game, they take away one of the most dangerous pick-and-roll combinations in the NBL.
Last time out, the Hawks’ bench outscored the Breakers’ 26-14, with Rhys Martin contributing 13 points. While Ogilvy had an uncharacteristically low-scoring game, it was a well-rounded team performance by the Hawks, who had four players score in double figures.
The Breakers have only lost two games at the Vector Centre this season, but if Penney and Lisch continue their scoring form, the Hawks could be the third team to win across the Tasman.
Prediction
Andrew Ogilvy will return to his normal production and, while they won’t win comfortably, the Hawks will be victors at the Vector.
Will the Breakers cause an upset to end NBL Heritage Round or will the Hawks prove too strong? Join The Roar from 3pm (AEDT) for scores and debate in our live blog.
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
FULL TIME What an exciting game, Illawarra Hawks pull off the win in a double overtime victory over a resilient New Zealand Breakers. Corey Webster lost the game for the Breakers, shooting some 3 pointers which really didn't need to be forced. Clearly wanted to be the hero when some quick thinking was needed. Lisch finishes with 40 points for the Hawks while Cody Ellis chipped in 18 off the bench including the 3 that would send the game to overtime. Despite being fouled out, Ogilvy ended the game with 15 points and 12 rebounds. New Zealand were unlucky to not be closer a the end of the game but as already mentioned lacked the clutch gene necessary for a game like this. Webster finished on 22 points on 28% shooting. Charles Jackson was a standout performer with 11 points and an outrageous 18 rebounds. Thanks everyone for following along with The Roar on this live blog. Hope you join us next time and until then, goodbye.
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 5 seconds Ellis to the line after getting fouled Makes 1 of 2 Makes 2 of 2 103-96 ILL win
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 13 seconds Corey Webster throws up another 3 but this time is fouled on the shot. Webster to the line for 3 free throws. Lisch ties season high in scoring with 40 points Makes 1 of 3 Makes 2 of 3 Makes 3 of 3 101-96 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 17.2 seconds Lisch fouled on the inbound who will go to the line. Makes 1 of 2 Makes 2 of 2 101-93 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 23s Webster is 3 of 15 from 3pt land. NZL retain possession with the offensive rebound. Fouled on the putback but can't finish at the rim. Misses 1 of 2 Makes 2 of 2 99-93 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 1' Webster forces up yet another 3. Some poor decision making by Webster in the clutch. Foul by Webster on Kevin Lisch who goes to the line. Makes 1 of 2 Makes 2 of 2 99-92 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 1' Cody Ellis with a baseline jumpshot over his defender to push the lead up to 5. Showing great confidence throughout the game to shoot the ball. 97-92 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 1' Kevin Lisch loses the ball but gets tied up by Abercrombie. Possession arrow to ILL 95-92 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 1' Cedric Jackson loses the ball out of bounds and gifts the ball to the Hawks. 95-92 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 2' Webster forces up two 3pt shots with defence all over him. Really no need to push it and are lucky not be punished by Lisch on the other end. Ogilvy fouls Wesley in the post on the return. Ogilvy fouled out 95-92 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 2' Ogilvy at the line Misses 1 of 1 Misses 2 of 2 95-92 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 2' Wesley and Lisch get tied up but Breakers maintain possession. Cedric Jackson misses the corner 3 and Lisch gets fouled on the run up court 95-92 ILL up Charles Jackson fouled out with the foul on Ogilvy
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 3' Lisch at the line Makes 1 of 3 Makes 2 of 3 Makes 3 of 3 95-92 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 4' Charles Jackson grabs the rebound off the Cedric Jackson miss but is confused by the late buzzer. Has the ball stolen by Lisch who is fouled on the shot on the other end. Officials checking to make sure it was a 3pt shot 92-92 game tied with Lisch at the line
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 4' Webster answers right back with a 3 of his own. Cold blooded! 92-92 game tied
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT2 - 5' Cedrid Jackson dishes to Wesley in the low post. Double team forces him to dish to Cedric Jackson. Ogilvy back the other way who misses the alley-opp. Lisch hits the HUGE three off the kick out from Ogily. 92-89 ILL up
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT - 3 seconds Ball stays with Breakers. Webster with the floater off the side of the rim. Jackson with the rebound but can't put it back in. Players looking tired and grind starting to kick in. Webster played 39 of the 45 minutes 89-89 game tied as we go to OT 2
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT - 3 seconds Webster drives but gets the ball knocked away with all scores tied. Referee checking the replay for who the ball came off but should've been a foul to begin with on Ogilvy 89-89 game tied
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT - 26 seconds Lisch with the crafty layup after switching hands mid air 89-89
Sebastian Quinn
Roar Guru
OT - Charles Jackson with 18 rebounds. 10 on the offensive glass! Crazy stuff 89-87 NZL up