10 Nov 2015

Breakers still frustrated by Melbourne loss

1:44 pm on 10 November 2015

An admission from the National Basketball League that the refs got it wrong has done little to comfort the Breakers head coach following their controversial loss to Melbourne United.

The New Zealand Breakers coach Dean Vickerman is not happy following his side's controversial loss to Melbourne United.

Dean Vickerman is not happy following his side's controversial loss to Melbourne United. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

The Breakers led United by one point with nine seconds remaining in the match and had earned a foul, just a split second before Melbourne captain Chris Goulding tumbled to the floor, earning the hosts two shots and possesion which ultimately lead to their win.

Since the match, the ANBL has stood down the two referees involved and implemented a rule change that that will allow an Instant Replay System in the last two minutes of a game.

The Breakers head coach, Dean Vickerman, says it's good that the ANBL has taken the necessary steps to eliminate such bad decisions like that one.

"We're obviously highly disappointed and angry that their mistake possibly cost us the result and we're not going to hide that frustration, we're mad about it, we're frustrated about it.

"Now we know that we are a good team, that we can beat anyone in the league and we go ahead and get ready for Perth on Friday."

Vickerman also revealed he pleaded with the ANBL to replay the last 10 seconds of the match but those pleas went in vain.

"That obviously opens a big can of worms about everybody in the league saying 'well there was an incident in our game, lets go back and replay it,' so it's difficult as competitors and people that's how we would have liked it to the game decided."

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