Basketball New Zealand

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NZ Breakers guard Kirk Penney (Photosport)

Jonathan Healy, Sportal
The Melbourne Tigers have displayed their Hummer NBL Championship credentials with a comprehensive 112-98 victory over the Harvey Norman NZ Breakers at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Saturday night.

Although they trailed early, the Tigers outscored the Breakers 30-12 during an enterprising second term to lead by 26 at half-time, before holding the visitors at bay for the remainder of the match.

Chris Anstey showed why he is considered one of the favourites for this season’s MVP award with another dominant display.

The big centre finished the match with 22 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and four blocked shots, which impressed his coach, Al Westover.

“Chris has been doing that all year,” Westover said. “He contributes not only with the scoring, but with a big blocked shot or a big rebound. When the game gets close, the big fella makes play’s for us, so we are fortunate to have him on our side.”

Anstey had plenty of support at both ends of the court.

Sean Lampley demonstrated his versatility with another polished performance, swingman David Barlow showed his class throughout, while point-guard Nathan Croswell ran the offence with aplomb.

Lampley contributed 22 points, seven rebounds and four assists, while Barlow proved a handful for the Breakers’ defence, finishing the match with 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting.

Kirk Penney hit a game-high 27 points for the Breakers, but only two of those came before half-time, while big centre Derrick Alston contributed a workmanlike 21 points and nine rebounds.

Missing the experienced Tony Ronaldson through injury, the Breakers travelled with nine fit players and had no one to match the class of Anstey and Lampley.

Penney got proceedings under way with an easy lay-up, but the Tigers were able to find plenty of open looks during an up-tempo opening term and led 34-26 at the first change.

Westover may have had his second stringers start the second term, but Stephen Hoare, Daryl Corletto and Tommy Greer continued to dominate, as the home side extended their lead and looked to hold all the aces.

If the Breakers struggled against the Tigers reserves, things got no better when Westover re-introduced Anstey, Lampley and Barlow.

Mika Vukona and Alston battled hard, but Anstey and Lampley in particular proved too big and strong inside the key, as the Tigers went on a 19-2 run to take a 26-point (64-38) lead into half-time.

The Breakers scored the first four points of the third quarter and when Penney found his range shortly after and hit a second consecutive triple, the Tigers’ lead was just 17.

Penney continued to fire, and by three-quarter time, the shooting guard had hit 17 points for the term and the Breakers had outscored their opponents 32-21 to trail by 15 (70-85) at the final break.

When Penney nailed his fourth three of the night early in the final stanza, the margin was 10, but Anstey, Barlow and Lampley re-entered the fray shortly after to guide the Tigers home.

After the game, Westover said the Tigers first half was the best half of basketball his team had played all season.

“It was one of those halves where everything went right, and it set us up for the victory,” Westover said.

Although disappointed with the result, Breakers’ coach Andrej Lemanis was pleased with the way his team fought out the contest in the second half.

“That first half we didn’t bring that defensive intensity that is required,” Lemanis said. “I was pleased with the way we responded in the second half…which showed some positive signs for us.”

Next up for the Tigers (17-6) is a trip to Adelaide to face the 36ers on Wednesday night, while the Breakers (12-12) head back to New Zealand where they will host the West Sydney Razorbacks on Thursday night.

Melbourne Tigers 112 (Chris Anstey 22, Sean Lampley 22, David Barlow 19) Harvey Norman NZ Breakers 98 (Kirk Penney 27, Derrick Alston 21, Mika Vukona 13)