The New Zealand Breakers survived a double-overtime classic to put a serious dint in the Gold Coast Blaze's playoff aspirations with a 123-115 victory in their ANBL basketball clash in Queensland on Sunday night.
The top of the table Breakers lead for most of the night, but the Blaze snuck ahead with their first lead of the game halfway through the final quarter before a frantic final few minutes which ended with both teams tied on 101 to send the match to overtime.
Chris Goulding fouled out with 53 seconds to play in OT and sent Carl Bruton to the foul line, where he sunk one from two and gave the Breakers a 108-106 lead.
With 34 seconds on the clock, Dillon Boucher fouled out and sent Hoare to the line for the Blaze.
Hoare calmly made both free-throws to level the game at 108-108.
The Blaze gathered the rebound on the Breakers next shot, and with an outlet to Adam Gibson the Blaze scored and took the lead on Gibson's floater with seven seconds on the clock.
Kevin Brasswell hit Tom Abercrombie under the basket for a game equalling basket with two seconds on the clock to force the double OT.
The scoring opened in the second overtime period when Darryl Hudson made one free-throw to put the Blaze up, but Bruton was wide open moments later to land a triple and then Kirk Penney hit another amazing three-pointer.
The Breakers triumphant 123-115 in a double-overtime nail biter.
The two teams clash again on Wednesday night in Auckland.
Meanwhile in Perth, defending champions Perth Wildcats recorded an emphatic 82-62 victory over the Adelaide 36ers at Challenge Stadium on Sunday night.
