Breakers Wash Over Phoenix

South East Melbourne Phoenix fell to the New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena on Saturday night. 

With big three inclusions, the Phoenix came out firing in the first quarter, putting on a show for the home crowd. But unfortunately they couldn’t sustain it for the rest of the game, falling to the Breakers by 8 points.

Phoenix will face the Breakers again next Thursday night across the ditch.

The Result

South East Melbourne Phoenix 77-85 New Zealand Breakers

The Numbers

Phoenix 
Creek: 20 points
Adnam: 17 points, 7 assists

Breakers
Loe: 18 points
Le’afa: 14 points, 10 assists

The Turning Point

Second Quarter

Phoenix had a bad run in the second quarter, missing open lay-ups, while conceding points down the other end. Coming out of half time, Phoenix had a chance to get back in the game, but couldn’t find the basket.

The Player of the Game

Kyle Adnam

Adnam showed his determination and toughness on the court as he tried to help the team. He received a knock to the face and was rewarded with a couple of bonus shots that he did not waste.

The very next play down the other end, he was hit hard by an illegal Loe screen resulting in an offensive foul and a Phoenix ball.

Shortly after he made a nice hook shot over Loe, trying to ignite the Phoenix back into the game.

The Play of the Game

Ryan Broekhoff’s Buzzer Beater

Broekhoff showed the crowd he was back with a buzzer beater three going into quarter time.

From the Coach

Simon Mitchell

"The blokes just need to be together, we have had a pretty rough trot; the chemistry is something you need to build like being on the floor together. We blew a lot of shots around the rim, we need to put those in, the pace wasn't there, the floor wasn't tipping the way it should be. It's going to be difficult we knew this getting all these guys back in at the same time, it's great in a way." 

From the Player

Kyle Adnam

"It's good to have a mini series during the season, you want to have a little bit of revenge, you want to go again and play the team, we go over to their home floor now, so we got to get one there."

CLICK HERE to get tickets for next home game on Saturday against the Bullets

Phoenix Media (15/10/22)