After last weekend’s win over Derby Trailblazers, MK Breakers Men were back in British Championship Basketball action as they travelled south to take on Bristol Flyers II.
Their opponents had lost their opening three games of the campaign, yet their young team were hungry to secure a much-needed victory at the SGS Arena behind standout players Shae Linton Brown and Nojus Zajankauskas.
But Breakers quickly set about squashing those hopes. Darius Duffy won the tip and immediately caught a pass from Jordan Spencer for a dunk that set the tone for the opening quarter.
Nick Woodard hit two early jumpshots, George Pearl came off the bench and drove straight to the basket, before Mike New Jr connected with a pair of free throws and a three to see the visitors end the period with an eight-point lead.
From there the game became increasingly scrappy as both teams racked up turnovers at an alarming rate as the lead Breakers lead fluctuated between three and 12 points. As the fourth quarter pressure ramped it, it would again be Woodard hitting some big shots that proved to be the difference.
His 31 point, nine rebound performance would earn him Player of the Game honours, with Duffy – who weighed in with 14 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks – providing some much-needed support in the 73-69 triumph.
“This was a game we’re glad to win,” said a relieved Head Coach Nigel Lloyd shortly after the final buzzer. “We’re happy to be heading back to MK with the victory, but we can’t be happy with a display like that.
“We don’t have a game next weekend, which gives us time to improve and learn from our mistakes because we’ve got to do a better job taking care of the basketball and sharpen up our passing right away.
“Our guys know this, and when we take on Nottingham in two weeks hopefully they will put on a show that Breakers fans can be proud of!”
That game against Hoods is their next outing, taking place at Bletchley Leisure Centre on October 31.
Tip off is at 17:00 and tickets are available here.
