Despite a career high 33 points from Gary Wilkinson, the SKY CITY Breakers suffered a heart breaking two points loss to the Sydney Kings, 98-96 in Sydney on Saturday. The accompanying Breakers supporters tour had plenty to cheer about as an exciting game unfolded. Wilkinson nailed four consecutive triples in the third period but ultimately he and the team will rue missed scoring opportunities in the dying seconds.
Other numbers from the game;
4 – Four Breakers forwards Wilkinson, Te Rangi, Frank and Vukona, were on four fouls for the last 6:30 of the game. Coach Dean Vickerman juggled their playing minutes expertly in those closing minutes but having Vukona and Frank on court for a total of just 33 minutes combined during the game contributed to the 44-33 domination enjoyed by Sydney on the boards.
10 – Kerron Johnson, enjoying good form at present, also had a strong game contributing a season high 10 assists along with 18 points. If you haven’t seen it yet, check out a replay of his running three pointer on the half time buzzer when surrounded by three Kings defenders – certainly one for the end of season highlights reel.
28 – The number of fouls called on the Breakers. Referee Michael Aylen has just been appointed to officiate at the Rio Olympics but he and his colleagues did the Breakers no favours with a lopsided 28-16 foul count.
36 – The number of free throws the Kings lined up for on the back of the foul count. Normally the sort of numbers enjoyed by Perth on their home court!
56 – The number of seconds remaining when Kings guard Charles Carmouche made a ‘Charlie’ of himself by attempting to call an NBA time out. Instead he incurred a 5 seconds violation gifting posession to the Breakers.
100 – Corey Webster (2 assists) took his tally of Breakers career dimes to 100 and Reuben Te Rangi brought up 100 points for the season in another solid display.
675 – The number of career rebounds by Tom Abercrombie, only Vukona, Boucher and Pepper have secured more rebounds for the club. Against the Kings the swingman secured 7 boards, scored 12 points and stuck manfully at trying to contain the 249 game NBA man, Sam Young – not an easy assignment.
800 – Despite being under an injury cloud earlier in the week Daryl Corletto contributed 10 points, scoring his 800th point for the club in the process.
LACEY LOWDOWN 