28
Nov
4 min read
Tacko falls in first NBL game, has five blocks
Tacko Fall of the Breakers looks on from the bench during the round 10 NBL match between Illawarra Hawks and New Zealand Breakers at WIN Stadium, on November 28, 2024, in Wollongong, Australia. Photo: Matt King/Getty Images
NBL Round 10: Hawks dominate Breakers 109-71
- Hawks crush Breakers by 38 points in NBL25 resumption
- Tacko Fall shows promise in 14-minute NBL debut for Breakers
- Six Hawks players score in double figures led by Olbrich's career-high 21
The Illawarra Hawks overwhelmed the New Zealand Breakers 109-71 (Game Centre) in Wollongong on Thursday, November 28, 2024, as the NBL season resumed following the FIBA international break.
Hawks Take Control Early
From the opening tip, the Hawks asserted their dominance, racing to a 32-12 first-quarter lead. Their aggressive play and shooting accuracy proved too much for the Breakers to handle. Illawarra's balanced attack saw six players reach double figures, with centre Lachlan Olbrich leading the charge with a career-high 21 points on 8/9 shooting in just 13 minutes off the bench.
The Hawks' dominance was evident in the statistics, out-rebounding the Breakers 51-33 and converting 23 points off turnovers compared to New Zealand's eight. Illawarra's fast-break prowess was dominant, outscoring the Breakers 27-3 in transition.
Tacko Fall's NBL Debut
Despite the lopsided score, all eyes were on Tacko Fall as the 7'6" centre made his highly anticipated NBL debut for the Breakers. In 14 minutes, Fall showed flashes of his potential, recording four points, five rebounds, and five blocks. His presence on the court was impactful, with the Breakers only -10 during his minutes despite the final 38-point margin.
Breakers coach Petteri Koponen acknowledged the team's struggles: "We got outrun tonight, every time we had a turnover it led to a fast break and we got killed. It was a big topic before coming to this game because they are the fastest team in the league, so the key focus for us was our transition defense, and it wasn't there tonight."
Looking Ahead
The victory improves Illawarra's record to 7-4, solidifying their position near the top of the NBL ladder. Both teams face quick turnarounds in Round 10, with the Hawks traveling to face the South East Melbourne Phoenix (Game Centre) on Saturday, November 30, 2024 while the Breakers head west to take on the Perth Wildcats (Game Centre) on Sunday, December 1, 2024
As the NBL season heats up, the Hawks' dominant performance serves as a statement to the rest of the league, while the Breakers will look to bounce back and integrate Tacko Fall more effectively into their rotation.
