United win big as momentum builds

Cole Anthony and Josh Oduro combined for another 38 points, 21 rebounds and six assists as Melbourne United made it three in-a-row beating the New Zealand Breakers 94-74 on Melbourne Cup eve.

United were back home at John Cain Arena where they beat the Sydney Kings last Sunday and then fresh off a win in Cairns on Saturday night.

New Zealand arrived coming off their lone home game of October on Friday night which was a loss to the Adelaide 36ers and they were again without coach Gordie Herbert through illness.

Sebastian Gleim took over for the second time in the last three matches but Cole became the story early with 13 points and a technical foul in the first quarter.

Melbourne's first half lead was as much as 12 before New Zealand did well to have it back to four at half-time and it was a two-point game midway through the third period.

United took back control closing the quarter with a 19-6 run and then completed the 20-point victory to improve to 6-5 on the season.

Anthony had a running battle with the officials and commentary team all evening, but still delivered 21 points and three assists with 4/6 long-range shooting to go with five turnovers.

Oduro was a monster inside once more collecting 19 rebounds including six at the offensive end to go with 17 points, three assists and two blocks.

Luke Travers added 12 points, eight rebounds, six assists and two blocks, Malith Machar 11 points, two steals and two blocks, and captain Chris Goulding eight points on 2/6 three-point shooting despite being frustrated with his 15-minute restriction.

The Breakers have now lost four straight to be 4-7 with eight of those 11 matches having been in Australia so far.

Sam Mennenga once again top scored for New Zealand with 15 points, four rebounds and two assists with Carlin Davison adding 12 points, 10 assists and seven rebounds despite six turnovers.

DJ Vasiljevic added nine points and four rebounds, Charles Bediako nine points, 12 boards and two steals, and Parker Jackson-Cartwright six points and four assists.

Both teams came into the Melbourne Cup eve match up with differing form lines and Melbourne did start the better with 28 points to 19 in the first quarter with Cole Anthony at the forefront of it all.

He was playing frustrated and picked up an early technical as a result, but also put 13 points on the board including hitting all three of his long-range attempts.

On the back of that, Melbourne were shooting 11/21 from the field and 5/8 from deep while the Breakers were shooting 8/17 overall and 1/7 from the outside.

The Melbourne lead got out to 12 points as well in the second quarter and it threatened to get out of hand for the Breakers, but they dug deep leading into half-time.

New Zealand managed to cut United's lead to 43-39 at the break despite still only shooting 16/39 overall and 3/14 from downtown.

Anthony's eventful night continued with him having 13 points with five turnovers to half-time while Luke Travers added 10 points, five rebounds and two assists, and Josh Oduro nine points and 10 rebounds.

The Breakers again were doing well to stay in the contest for much of the third quarter and it was just a two-point ball game before United took control.

Melbourne closed out the quarter with a 19-6 run and by three quarter-time were leading 70-55 with Cole up to 18 points on 4/6 three-point shooting while Oduro had 15 points and 14 rebounds.

That lead for United got out to as much as 19 points early in the fourth quarter before they closed out the 20-point victory with an exclamation point with Christian D'Angelo hitting a halfcourt prayer on the buzzer in just the second game of his NBL career.

United remain at home to host the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday night while the Breakers too are still staying in Australia to play the Tasmania JackJumpers in Launceston on Friday.

MELBOURNE UNITED 94 – NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 74

Melbourne United
Cole Anthony – 21 points, 3 assists, 4/6 3PT
Josh Oduro – 17 points, 19 rebounds, 3 assists, 2 blocks
Luke Travers – 12 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists, 2 blocks
Malith Machar – 11 points, 2 steals, 2 blocks
Chris Goulding – 8 points, 2/6 3PT

NZ Breakers
Sam Mennenga – 15 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists
Carlin Davison – 12 points, 10 assists, 7 rebounds
DJ Vasiljevic – 9 points, 4 rebounds
Charles Bediako – 9 points, 12 rebounds, 2 steals
Anzac Rissetto – 8 points, 4/6 FG