The Santa Barbara Breakers clinched a WCBL Playoff spot with a convincing 143-82 victory over the Malibu BeachDawgs.
Having lost 2 of their last 3 games, the Breakers shot the ball well from start to finish while forcing an uptempo pace with a domination on the boards (63-31). The addition of two new players also contributed to the offensive explosion. Jordan Burris (CS San Bernadino/Reno-NBDL) scored a season high 34 points while recording a triple-double (34 pts; 15 reb; 10 assists) and burying 8-12 three’s.
The Breakers held a conservative 31-23 lead at the end of the first quarter and floored the gas pedal in the 2nd frame with a 41-18 advantage over the BeachDawgs. 6’10 Tom Granado (Concordia-Irvine) hammered the offensive boards for 14 of his 28 points during this period and also grabbed 14 rebounds. The halftime score was in favor of the Breakers at 72-41.
The BeachDawgs made a run in the 3rd quarter, cutting the lead in half, but a resurgence on the part of Tim Billingsley (Neosho CC/ resident of Bakersfield) and newcomer Arthur “Tennessee” Washington thwarted any chances. Billingsley tallied 23 points and 9 assists while Washington recorded 27 points and 11 rebounds.
In the fourth and final frame, Tim Taylor (12 points; 6 assists) and newcomer CJ Carter-Northwestern-WA (14 pts; 5 assists) continued you the assault with fastbreak scores from inside and outside the 3 point line. When the smoke cleared, the Breakers had their 5th win and will now prepare for the Simi Valley Flame in their final regular season game. Then it will be on to the Final Four Playoff format, to be held December 7 and 14.
