Breakers leave it late to sink Crocs

Updated October 19, 2012 23:06:13

The New Zealand Breakers clinched a narrow 73-71 victory over the winless Townsville Crocodiles in Auckland on Friday night.

A driving lay-up by Cedric Jackson in the dying seconds secured the victory for the Breakers, who improve to 2-1 while reducing the Crocs to a 0-3 start to the season.

The hosts led by 11 points with around two minutes left but were made to work to the final buzzer after Townsville were sparked into action by Gary Ervin (21 points).

Mika Vukona starred for New Zealand with 15 points and 15 rebounds, while team-mate Tom Abercrombie also contributed 15.

In Sydney, the Taipans smashed the Kings 88-68 thanks to some fantastic long-range shooting.

Jamar Wilson and Alex Loughton both pitched in 22 and 13 points respectively for Cairns (2-1), while a game-high 26 points from Ben Madgen was not nearly enough to keep the Kings competitive (1-2).

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, new-zealand, townsville-4810, qld, australia, sydney-2000, nsw, cairns-4870

First posted October 19, 2012 22:46:12

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Wildcats hammer Crocs at home

Updated October 14, 2012 17:36:40

Perth Wildcats embarrassed the Crocodiles on their own floor in an 82-58 shellacking at The Swamp in Townsville on Sunday afternoon.

The home side made a dismal 29 per cent (17-of-59) of its field goal attempts and surrendered 32 points in the paint as the Wildcats showed no mercy.

Perth scored more points in the first, third and fourth periods than Townsville did in the entire second half, such was the extent of the Crocodiles' struggles.

The hosts looked good in the second period, rebounding from a six-point quarter-time deficit to lead 38-34 at half-time.

But a third-period fade-out saw Townsville surrender its advantage and trail by seven going into the last quarter before capitulating in a 25-8 thumping.

Swingman Michael Cedar was the lone Crocodile to reach double figures on the scoreboard but he needed 10 shots for his 11 points, going 1-of-5 from beyond the three-point line.

The usual suspects were on fire for Perth, with Kevin Lisch's 20-point haul leading the way, although the star guard committed six turnovers.

Shawn Redhage was strong down low, posting 18 points, while Jesse Wagstaff (11) and Matthew Knight (10) also chipped in.

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, townsville-4810, qld, perth-6000, wa, australia

First posted October 14, 2012 17:36:40

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Taipans hold off Crocs in derby opener

Updated October 06, 2012 21:31:07

Former Melbourne Tigers star Cameron Tragardh lit up the Crocodiles for 20 points as he and his new Taipans team-mates evaded Townsville 84-72 in Cairns on Friday night.

The round one derby was a close affair in the opening period and it was a one-possession game going into the first break, but the hosts pushed clear to lead by 14 at the midway point.

The Taipans extended their advantage to 23 going into the final quarter before Townsville staged a late fightback with a 13-0 run to start the fourth.

Crocs big man Russell Hinder lived up to his surname in proving to be a particular pest for Cairns, scoring eight of his 11 points in the last period to help the visitors to within nine points.

But the Taipans' earlier efforts proved to be enough, with Tragardh getting scoreboard help from Jamar Wilson (17), Brad Hill (12) and Cameron Gliddon (9).

Townsville's scorers shared the load with Ben Allen (15) and Jacob Holmes (14) leading five Crocs into double-figures.

Holmes added 10 rebounds and two assists to his line in the box score, while Todd Blanchfield went 2-for-3 from beyond the arc for 10 points.

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, cairns-4870, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted October 06, 2012 21:31:07

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Breakers down Crocs to level series

Updated April 05, 2012 23:47:24

The New Zealand Breakers scored a bruising 94-83 win over the Crocodiles in Townsville on Thursday night to send their NBL semi-final series to a deciding third game.

The Breakers were shocked 99-82 in Auckland in game one last Friday by the Crocs, who now need to repeat that effort to move into the championship-deciding series against Gold Coast or Perth.

Veteran CJ Bruton hit the clutch triples to finish with 18 points for the visitors, while centres Gary Wilkinson (14 points, six rebounds) and Alex Pledger (12 points, six rebounds) also had a big impact.

Dillon Boucher was also dominant in the first half before suffering a facial injury in the third quarter.

Townsville's Eddie Gill came to life late to finish with 24 points and five assists, and Michael Cedar scored 15 including a stunning 11-point second-quarter run that brought the Crocs back into the game after they trailed by 12 points.

New Zealand guard Cedric Jackson (14 points, five assists) shook off an ankle injury to get the visitors off to a solid start as he registered five points within a minute.

Townsville hit back through an impressive Todd Blanchfield alley-oop, but Boucher, Pledger, Bruton and rookie Leon Henry came off the bench to spark the Kiwis to a 27-17 quarter-time lead.

Michael and Chris Cedar put on a spectacular double-act in the second term for the Crocs, scoring 16 points between them to close the gap to four.

But eight points from Pledger, often from Boucher's exquisite passes, ensured New Zealand took a 14-point lead into the long break.

The third quarter proved a physical affair as emotions ran high amid a more committed rebounding effort from Townsville.

Boucher left the court with blood flowing from his mouth after a collision with Bruton in the sixth minute.

Consecutive baskets from Luke Schenscher and Peter Crawford, accentuated by a charge foul on Mika Vukona, then sent the crowd into overdrive.

Townsville surged within five points before two enormous triples from Bruton took the wind out of the crowd's sails and restored a double-figure advantage.

The intensity continued in the final quarter, a Gill three-pointer making the score 74-68 as he desperately rallied the home team.

But a tough Jackson fade-away and Daryl Corletto's first two buckets of the game - both long bombs - ended Townsville's hopes.

AAP

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, qld, townsville-4810, australia, new-zealand

First posted April 05, 2012 23:47:24

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Crocs thump Breakers in first semi

Updated March 30, 2012 21:02:59

Townsville has a great chance of knocking the top-seeded New Zealand Breakers out of the NBL finals after an upset 99-82 first semi-final victory in Auckland.

The Breakers could not overcome a strong Crocodiles defence in the first of the best-of-three semi-final series and were blown away with hot shooting by the visitors in a 30-18 third quarter.

The Breakers will now have to repeat last year's effort against Perth of scoring an away victory in their second semi-final to have a chance of repeating their 2011 title.

The Crocodiles made a quick start, but the home team held firm and a three-pointer in the last minute by Leon Henry took the Breakers to a 21-19 lead at quarter-time.

Seven straight points after the break took the Crocodiles to a 26-21 lead, though the Breakers quickly replied with a seven-point run of their own.

The Crocodiles stayed in touch for the rest of the quarter, and a three-point play from bench player Elvin Mims helped the Crocodiles take a 44-41 lead into the half-time break.

There was only one team playing in the third quarter.

Jacob Holmes was strong at both ends of the court, leading the visitors to 30 points, while the Breakers could not get any momentum offensively and were down 74-59 at the end of the quarter.

The locals tried to get going in the final quarter but were always playing catch-up and now face having to win in Townsville if they are going to make the final.

Mims, Holmes, Eddie Gill, Peter Crawford and Luke Schenscher all got into double figures for the Crocodiles, with Holmes and Schenscher also making a big rebounding impact.

"As good as it is to win one, you need to win two before you can actually say you've done anything," Crawford said.

Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis said it had been difficult to get the team going in the week leading up to Friday's game and they needed to improve their intensity to make it to the final.

"We didn't play to our normal level tonight," he said.

"I don't think that was a Breakers-style performance and I think we'll play better on Thursday."

The Crocodiles led by three at half-time but a 30-18 third quarter by the visitors forced the hosts into catch-up mode in the final quarter and they were unable to respond.

"I think we executed our game plan about as well as I could hope for, at both ends of the floor," Crocodiles coach Paul Woolpert said.

"We did a good job of executing at the offensive end and getting good shots and I think that helped take away their transition game."

AAP

Tags: sport, basketball, nbl, new-zealand, townsville-4810

First posted March 30, 2012 20:26:26

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Breakers stutter to Crocs win

Updated February 23, 2012 21:02:28

The New Zealand Breakers extended its lead at the top of the NBL ladder on Thursday night with a stop-start 81-70 win over the Townsville Crocodiles in Auckland.

The victory came on the back of a strong all-round shooting performance from the Breakers, led by Gary Wilkinson's 22-point, 10-rebound double-double.

Point guard Cedric Jackson provided invaluable support with 18 points and seven assists, while Tom Abercrombie had another strong game, picking up seven rebounds to go with his 18 points.

Guard Eddie Gill topped the scoring for the Crocodiles, picking up 16, while forward Jacob Holmes managed 15.

The competition leaders were all business right from the first whistle. Jackson was everywhere, picking up steals, assists and points with apparent ease while Wilkinson, Abercrombie and CJ Bruton slotted confidence-boosting early three-pointers.

Running hot, the Breakers ended an up-tempo first quarter 29-15 ahead, dominating the offensive boards and running a smothering defence that shut down the third-placed Australians.

Guard Eddie Gill stepped up for the Crocs in the second spell as the Townsville attack finally started to run at the Breakers.

New Zealand's intensity disappeared and their lead eroded gradually, Crocs swingman Peter Crawford sinking a three-pointer right on the halftime buzzer to haul back the Breakers' lead to 46-38 at the break.

The Crocs maintained momentum in the third stanza, Elvin Mimms putting in some excellent work on the offensive boards as the visitors matched the Breakers basket for basket and shaded them 18-17 to go into the last quarter trailing by nine.

The home team continued to struggle for consistency in the final spell, although their stuttering attack finally looked to have sparked into life thanks to a deep three-pointer from Jackson which extended their lead to 10 with six minutes remaining.

But the Crocs battled back, narrowing the lead to just two with less than three minutes left only to see the Breakers regroup, up the defensive pressure and shut out the win in sinking the last eight points of the match.

AAP

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, new-zealand

First posted February 23, 2012 21:01:10

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Crocs edge Tigers at the death

Updated March 04, 2012 20:03:26

Townsville held on for a nail-biting 67-64 home win over a fighting Melbourne Tigers outfit on Sunday to mark Peter Crawford's 400th NBL game.

The Tigers fought back within two points with eight seconds on the clock when Myron Allen was called for charging Eddie Gill, ending hopes of extending the encounter into overtime.

The Crocodiles had been on track for victory, with Crawford nailing the opening six points of the encounter to begin his milestone game in style.

He finished the game as the Crocs' leading scorer with 14 points.

Townsville's Luke Schenscher netted 13 points, controlling the paint and boards along with Elvin Mims who also sank 13.

Lucas Walker (13) was the only threat for the visitors, but fouled out mid-way through the final term to leave them without their leading scorer.

Townsville made one of its best starts of the season with a 10-2 run, the first six coming from the hand of Crawford.

Melbourne benched its entire starting line-up before Walker found his range to nail 3-of-3 from the field, but the visitors were left trailing 20-12 at quarter-time.

The Tigers were a different outfit after the break, netting eight straight and out-scoring the Crocodiles 22-12 for the quarter to claim an unlikely 34-32 lead at half-time.

Townsville reclaimed the lead but it became a physical struggle, with leading scorer Schenscher picking up his fourth foul to earn a stint on the bench.

Melbourne briefly hit the front with Walker leading the way, but after a number of lead changes the Crocs surged late to boast a 52-44 advantage at the final break.

AAP

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, townsville-4810, qld, australia, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted March 04, 2012 20:03:26

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Crocs put deathroll on Cairns

Updated February 18, 2012 00:07:06

Townsville dominated a fiery reptile rumble to record a comprehensive 75-43 NBL win over Cairns on Friday night.

The Taipans shot out to an early lead in the first quarter but when the Crocs found their feet, they ran away with the emphatic victory.

Townsville fought back through some handy work by big man Luke Schenscher (12 points) to go into the first break with a lead of eight points.

Jacob Holmes was rock solid under the net with seven rebounds in the first quarter and 15 for the game.

The home side streaked ahead in the second period as sharp-shooter Michael Cedar stamped his mark on the game, scoring 10 points in short succession including two long bombs from beyond the arc.

Crocodiles import Eddie Gill (12 points) chimed in with two quick baskets late in the term to push the margin out to 17 at half-time.

The Taipans could not stem the flow of points in the third, allowing the home side to run out to a 28-point lead.

Crocs shooting guard Peter Crawford found his range in the final quarter to finish with 14 points and the 32-point rout was complete.

AAP

Tags: sport, basketball, cairns-4870, qld, australia

First posted February 18, 2012 00:07:06

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Crocs make it four in a row

Updated January 25, 2012 23:26:03

Townsville Crocodiles registered their fourth straight win by defeating the Adelaide 36ers 79-69 in a dour affair at The Swamp.

The Crocs did only what was needed to hold on after jumping to a double-figure lead midway through the second quarter, where three consecutive triples from Olympic hopeful Peter Crawford (14 points) broke the game open.

The 36ers failed to mount a genuine challenge, having one brief moment of hope early in the second quarter when emerging superstar Daniel Johnson (21 points, 16 rebounds, two blocks, two steals) unleashed a nine-point scoring spree.

Adelaide was woeful early, making just 5-of-21 from the field, while the Crocs struggled for cohesion themselves and relied on giant Luke Schenscher to stay in front 19-14 at the first break.

Johnson then cut lose for the 36ers as they claimed the lead, but Crawford's brilliant run of triples blew the margin into double figures.

Adelaide turned the game into a grind in the third term and import Chris Warren found his range, but Townsville hit back through Michael and Chris Cedar, the brothers' solid sinking from beyond the arc enough to keep them in front 60-53.

Michael Cedar opened the final term with a long-range three to ensure the margin remained comfortable, as the Crocs controlled the remainder of the encounter.

Johnson attempted a last-ditch effort to salvage the match and slashed the margin to seven, but he was a lone-ranger in an otherwise disappointing night for Adelaide, who committed 20 turnovers but handed out just five assists.

AAP

Tags: sport, basketball, townsville-4810, qld, australia

First posted January 25, 2012 23:08:34

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Crocs beat Hawks on the buzzer

Updated January 21, 2012 23:40:07

Eddie Gills drained a buzzer-beater to give the Townsville Crocodiles a thrilling 65-63 NBL home win over the Wollongong Hawks on Saturday night.

Gill finished with 11 points, but youngster Todd Blanchfield was the match-winner with 15 points on 6-of-7 shooting and eight rebounds at the Townsville Entertainment Centre.

For the Hawks, Tim Coenraad (16 points), Oscar Forman (16) and Rhys Martin (11) were outstanding in a hostile environment as Wollongong nearly pulled off a memorable victory.

Spurred by their win over the Taipans the Hawks initiated a fast-paced contest but the Crocs led 39-37 at the half.

The Crocs threatened to break away repeatedly in the second half, but the Hawks hung tough after Townsville established a 56-47 lead.

Larry Davidson levelled the scores at 63-63 before Gill broke the Hawks hearts with his heroics.

On the Gold Coast, the Blaze survived a second-half scare to crush the Melbourne Tigers 92-78.

In Gold Coast veteran Stephen Hoare's 450th NBL game the Blaze made sure it was a night to celebrate, defeating the club he called home for eight seasons.

Fittingly it was Hoare who sealed the win after the Blaze had blown a 20-point third quarter-lead, slicing his way through traffic to push the home team's lead back past double-digits with less than four minutes remaining.

The leadership of point guard Adam Gibson (23 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists) was superb, while Mark Worthington (19) and Anthony Petrie (12) also made strong contributions for the Blaze.

Ron Dorsey, with 24 points, was a constant threat for the Tigers, although he found little help from his team-mates.

AAP

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, townsville-4810, qld, australia, wollongong-2500, nsw, southport-4215, melbourne-3000, vic

First posted January 21, 2012 23:40:07

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Tigers beat Crocs to end losing slide

Updated December 18, 2011 23:35:26

The Melbourne Tigers snapped a four-game losing streak with an entertaining 93-80 win over the visiting Townsville Crocodiles on Sunday night.

The Tigers led by as many as 17 points in the third quarter before withstanding a spirited fight back by the Crocs to move into the NBL top four.

Cameron Tragardh led the Tigers with 19 points to win his battle against ex-NBA centre Luke Schenscher, who finished with 11 for the Crocodiles.

Tom Greer and Ron Dorsey both had 18 for Melbourne.

Peter Crawford was outstanding for Townsville with 30 on 8-of-14 three-point shooting, while Jacob Holmes added 20 points and eight rebounds.

Melbourne coach Trevor Gleeson said his team understood the importance of ending its losing streak.

"We've been playing well but it's the end result that counts in this league," Gleeson said.

"It was a big win, a real tough win against an in-form team.

"Last time we played them we took too many short cuts, tonight we were very good defensively and we got the bikkies in the end."

Townsville coach Paul Woolpert was unimpressed with his team's ability to execute, particularly at the offensive end.

"We got back to five (points down) after three quarters and then had two or three poor possessions to start the fourth quarter," Woolpert lamented.

"Our offence was horrendous in the fourth quarter. It was sloppy basketball with poor execution."

AAP

Tags: nbl, basketball, sport, melbourne-3000, vic, australia, townsville-4810, qld

First posted December 18, 2011 23:35:26

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Taipans drop Crocs from Finals race

Posted April 17, 2011 15:55:00

Cairns locked up the second NBL grand final berth and ended North Queensland rival Townsville's postseason with a commanding 93-83 victory at The Swamp on Sunday afternoon.

The Crocodiles had lost just once in 14 home games this season but the Taipans were just too much after storming back from a quarter-time deficit.

The visitors, whose best season in club history will culminate in a grand final series against the minor premier New Zealand Breakers, extended the Crocs' dismal form in playoff series in front of a solid contingent of orange-clad fans that travelled down the highway in support.

Townsville has now lost six of the seven semi-finals series it has been involved in, including the last three seasons in a row.

Peter Crawford had a game-high 29 for the hosts as well as seven rebounds, making six of 10 attempts from long range. Michael Cedar chipped in with 15 points, five rebounds and four assists.

But it was not enough to overcome cold shooting afternoons from stars Luke Schenscher (13 points on 5-of-13 shooting), Russell Hinder (six, 2-of-6) and Will Blalock (four, 2-of-5).

Cairns spread the scoring load around with Daniel Dillon (21), Dusty Rychart (16), Ayinde Ubaka and Ian Crosswhite (12, nine rebounds) all taking advantage of their opportunities.

Accuracy was a key factor for the Taipans, who shot 52 per cent from the field and 42 per cent from downtown while forcing Townsville into 15 turnovers.

It capped a dramatic rise for the Cairns franchise which was placed into voluntary administration during the 2008/09 season, until a community-based ownership scheme dragged the Taipans back into the black.

The Breakers, who are also playing in their first grand final series, will host the first of three games at a sold out North Shore Events Centre in Auckland on Wednesday.

- ABC/AAP

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Crocs at full strength for semi

Posted April 16, 2011 17:07:00

Townsville will have key big men Luke Schenscher and Russell Hinder fit and ready to fire against the visiting Cairns Taipans in Sunday's NBL semi-final decider at The Swamp.

Earlier in the week, Hinder (knee) and Schenscher (elbow) had both been listed as requiring a fitness test.

But Townsville coach Trevor Gleeson said they will "be definitely right come game three".

Guard Brad Williamson (hand/thumb) has also been cleared to play, meaning Townsville will throw a full-strength roster at the Taipans.

Cairns will bring its strongest available roster, with veteran guard and sole remaining foundation player Aaron Grabau to suit up despite suffering back soreness after taking a big hit in game two.

The North Queensland rivals will be playing their fourth straight game against each other after squaring off in the final round of the regular season and, including preseason clashes, will be meeting for the eighth time in the current campaign.

The winning team will advance to a best-of-three final series against minor premier New Zealand, which defeated defending champion Perth 2-1 in the other semi-final series.

Townsville has lost five of its six semi-final series, falling at that stage for each of the last two seasons.

"We've been in this situation a number of times, especially the last two years we've been in game three of the semi-finals, now it's our time to make that next step," Gleeson said.

For its part, Cairns has already achieved its best ever season, regardless of Sunday's result.

The Taipans notched their highest ladder position of third and their game-two success against Townsville was their first semi-final win in franchise history.

Cairns will take an army of around 600 to 800 supporters to a venue where the Crocs have lost only once in 14 matches this season.

"It will be a sea of orange, the orange army is heading down the road to Townsville, it will be fantastic," Cairns coach Aaron Fearne said.

"I think the keys to the game ... we obviously need to do a good job defending Luke Schenscher.

"We need to make life very difficult for Peter Crawford in particular, but also Michael Cedar.

"Those three are really their main scorers."

Gleeson wanted Townsville to share the ball more after its 17- point loss in game two, where it made just four of 24 three-point attempts.

"We had a pretty intense video session early in the week and the boys have been outstanding on the court," he said.

He added the Crocs needed to improve their rebounding after losing 42-32 on the boards in game two and nominated imports Ayinde Ubaka and Ron Dorsey as key players for Cairns.

- AAP

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