10 wins in a row for dominant United

Melbourne United continued their dominant run on Wednesday night, this time taking down the New Zealand Breakers at John Cain Arena to make it 10 wins in a row.

The commanding 90-76 win was set up by a furious first quarter of shooting by Chris Goulding, before Scotty Hopson and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. took over down the stretch.

Goulding hit a triple on United’s first offensive possession of the game and from there, he simply couldn’t be stopped as he lit up John Cain Arena. He had two triples in the first two minutes and his third within the first four minutes.

Despite Goulding going off, United’s night got off to a rocky start when Jock Landale was subbed out after 30 seconds of play with a knee injury and he wouldn’t return to the game.

With Goulding leading the way, Melbourne jumped out to an early 18-8 lead after four minutes of play. When Goulding drained his fourth three-pointer with four minutes left in the first quarter, United held a 23-12 lead.

Yudai Baba was injected into the game, immediately causing a New Zealand turnover and when Scotty Hopson took the ball the length of the floor for a lay-up, Melbourne’s lead was 13 points with two minutes to play.

Finn Delany kept the Breakers in the game with seven first quarter points, while a Rob Loe buzzer-beating triple cut United’s lead to nine-points, 31-22, at the first break.

The second quarter was a much more defensive-minded quarter as both teams locked down on that end of the court. New Zealand’s Tom Abercrombie connected on a triple at the halfway mark of the term to trim Melbourne’s lead to eight points, 37-29, but Shea Ili and Mason Peatling teamed up on the other end for a bucket to answer.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. was crucial throughout the second term with key buckets when United struggled to get it going offensively.

Goulding nailed yet another triple with just under four minutes remaining in the first half and Hopson brough the crowd to their feet with a thunderous dunk with 30 seconds left to play in the quarter.

At the main break, United held a 10-point lead, 46-36, with Goulding (19 points) and Jo Lual-Acuil Jr. (12 points) leading the way.

The third quarter belonged United as Lual-Acuil Jr. kept the offence ticking over, before Hopson stepped to the fore and caught fire.

Hopson was on a mission in the third, scoring four buckets – including two triples – for 10 points in the quarter. With Hopson and Lual-Acuil Jr. carrying the load, Melbourne’s half-time lead ballooned out to 20 points, 68-48, late in the third frame.

At the final break, Melbourne’s lead stood at 16 points, 68-52.

Lual-Acuil Jr. continued to score in the fourth quarter and when Baba hit a shot halfway through the term, United led by 21 points, 79-58. Corey Webster attempted to bring the Breakers back into the game late, but it wasn’t enough as United ran out big winners, 90-76.

Lual-Acuil Jr. showcased his full offensive arsenal with a dominant, career-high 23 points and 9 rebounds. Hopson found his offensive rhythm to finish with a season-high 25 points, while Goulding set up the win with 19 points in the first half.

Webster (20 points and 5 assists) and William McDowell-White (12 points, 7 rebounds and 4 assists) were impressive for the Breakers.

The win marked United’s 10^th victory in a row – a new franchise record winning streak and sets up a blockbuster Sunday afternoon match up against the Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena. Tip off is at 3pm.