AUS - Internationals dominate week 10 of NBL

AUCKLAND (NBL) - The New Zealand Breakers (11-3) have stormed to the top of the NBL ladder with a stunning 112-98 win over the previously first placed South Dragons (11-3).

New Zealand international Kirk Penney was the star of the show with 27 points on 6/10 3pfg, while also holding Dragons young gun and Beijing Olympian Joe Ingles to a sub-par performance (16 points, 3/8 fg).

But Penney received plenty of help from the Breakers' raft of internationals, with Australian point guard CJ Bruton (20 points, 6 assists, 3 steals), the evergreen Tony Ronaldson (19 points, 6 rebounds) and Tall Blacks defensive specialist Dillon Boucher all playing crucial roles.

Ingles and the Dragons bounced back strongly with a 106-100 victory over the Adelaide 36ers (5-9), who went 0-2 for the week despite the return of star import Julius Hodge, who was contracted by the New Jersey Nets but did not make their final roster.

Hodge recorded 27 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists and played out an enthralling duel with Ingles, who recorded 27 points and 4 assists. Adelaide charged back from a 21-point deficit behind Hodge and fellow import Adam Ballinger (Michigan State), who finished with 29 points and 7 rebounds.

With scores tied in the final two minutes it was former Charleroi import Tremell Darden (16 points, 9 boards, 5 assists, 2 steals) who nailed two big shots, in tandem with bench guard Nathan Herbert (21 points, 7/9 fg) to seal the win. It was a timely performance from Darden, who has been under pressure to retain his position with the Dragons.

The previous night, Adelaide surrendered a double figure lead in their 110-108 loss to the Sydney Spirit (6-8). The Spirit, who are in serious financial difficulty, were without emerging starters Damian Martin and Liam Rush, but received 19 points and 11 boards from 207cm Australian junior international Matthew Knight, and 24 points from improving import guard Derrick Low.

Former Australian Boomers captain Jason Smith had his best game since returning from shoulder surgery, posting 18 points and 5 rebounds for Sydney.

In other games, 28 points, 6 rebounds and 4 assists from dual-Olympian Glen Saville was not enough for the Wollongong Hawks (6-7), as import Corey Williams came off the bench to score 25 points in 29 minutes and lead the Townsville Crocs (5-7) to an exciting 121-113 victory, breaking their five game losing streak.

The Melbourne Tigers (8-4) escaped 99-98 against the Cairns Taipans thanks to a wayward match-winning attempt from Taipans import Larry Abney (20 points). For Melbourne, Nigerian 2006 FIBA World Championship star Ebi Ere was outstanding with 22 points, while Canadian international Dave Thomas - playing against his former team - led Cairns with 20 points, 8/14 fg, 8 rebounds and 4 assists.

The Perth Wildcats (9-6) compounded the Taipans' (6-9) misery with a 101-85 thrashing in Cairns three nights later. Olympian Shawn Redhage (22 points, 8/10fg) and athletic 207cm import Isiah Victor (18 points, 11 rebounds) led the way for Perth.

The Wildcats face New Zealand this week in another top of the table blockbuster.

Paul Kennedy
FIBA Correspondent in Australia