Basketball: Breakers advance to ANBL finals

Gary Wilkinson of the Breakers swings from the hoop after dunking against the Wildcats. Photo / Getty Images

Breakers 99
Wildcats 83

The New Zealand Breakers have made their first Australian National Basketball League finals after a 99-83 victory over the Perth Wildcats in Auckland tonight.

Led by the outstanding American centre Gary Wilkinson, the Breakers overcame a slow start to take the lead in the second quarter, one they never relinquished.

The game finally turned in the final quarter with the score at 73-66 after an on-court flare-up which resulted after Wilkinson was pulled down by Kevin Lisch.

In the ensuing altercation Wildcats big man Andre Brown was ejected from the game, and the Wildcats never recovered as the Breakers went on a scoring spree.

Wilkinson led the scoring with 20 points, with Kirk Penney scoring 18 and CJ Bruton 17. Matthew Knight led the Wildcats with 17.

The Breakers will play either the Townsville Crocodiles or the Cairns Taipans in the best-of-three finals.

New Zealand Breakers 99

(Gary Wilkinson 20, Kirk Penney 18, CJ Bruton 17, Thomas Abercrombie 10).

Perth Wildcats 83

(Matthew Knight 17, Jesse Wagstaff 12, Cameron Tovey 11, Stephen Weigh 10) Halftime: 52-43.

GAME COVERAGE:

BREAKERS 31-28:

Damian Martin finally breaks the Perth drought with a three point play as he was fouled sinking a shot from the field. Perth's plan to keep Penney cold is working, only four points for him so far.

Both teams are 1/5 from the three point line. While Perth have given away 13 fouls to New Zealand's three.

PERTH 23-18:

The Breakers are dishing out the dunks tonight. First Abercrombie with a breakaway dunk before Wilkinson pulls off his second of the night. Breakers close the gap with 1.46 left.

PERTH 21-13:

The Breakers give up their fifth turnover as Matthew Knight hits a two to give the Wildcats an eight point lead with 3.45 left.

PERTH 19-13:

Perth hit back before the Breakers cut the lead to three again with two free-throws from Mika Vukona. Vukona grabs two more before Kevin Lisch sinks a three.

PERTH 12-9:

Penney drains a three before Jesse Wagstaff hits a two-pointer, he has six in the game so far. 6.26 left in the quarter.

PERTH 10-6:

Kirk Penney sets up Wilkinson for a dunk and the Breakers close the gap.

PERTH 8-2:

Kevin Lisch hits two free-throws and then Perth sink two more shots from the field to take an early six point lead with 8.11 left.

Gary Wilkinson is fouled and sinks both free-throws to tie the game up at 2-2.

And we're underway at the NSEC and Perth hit the front first and take a 2-0.

- NZPA