Melbourne United knew they needed another scorer and, in import guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes, they may well have found him.
The Canadian shotmaker set a new NBL career-high with 33 points along with nine assists to steer Melbourne United past New Zealand Breakers 101-97 in overtime at John Cain Arena on Sunday.
Melbourne United debutant Xavier Rathan-Mayes drives to the basket against the New Zealand Breakers.Credit:Getty Images
Just as he has always done, United skipper Chris Goulding (24 points) had his side in a match-winning position after nailing nine-straight points early in the last quarter, but just when the home side looked poised to give a screaming crowd of 7236 a comfortable victory, the Breakers fought back, with a lay-up from import guard Barry Brown jnr tying scores at 88-88 and forcing overtime.
In the extra session, it was Rathan-Mayes who took the game from the Breakers with back-to-back threes before a late free throw secured the win.
United’s Rayjon Tucker dunks against the Breakers.Credit:Getty Images
“It felt good to come out here and do whatever it took to get the win,” Rathan-Mayes said.
“Coach challenged me in the pre-season to shoot the ball. I was being hesitant. I took that to heart and wanted to help us get the win by whatever means necessary.
“I have put in the work, put in the time. It was about having that confidence to do it.”
United have much to improve on and desperately miss point guard and defensive stalwart Shea Ili, who is out with a concussion and making progress on his return. They also struggled inside, losing the rebound count 51-41 as Breakers big man Derek Pardon had 23 points and 12 rebounds.
Rathan-Mayes didn’t show as much of his playmaking prowess while playing for Illawarra Hawks last season, but he demostrated against an athletic, organised Breakers defence that he was more than just a shooter with some heady plays.
He also set up an early contender for dunk of the season as he threw a high lob off the backboard for high-flying forward Rayjon Tucker (16 points) to slam home in the first quarter.
Rathan-Mayes and Goulding both shot six of 11 from the three-point line as United made 18 long balls.
“X had one hell of a game hell of a game,” United coach Dean Vickerman said.
“Having him and CG hit six threes each and both really wanting the basketball was huge for us.”
Ili’s return date is unclear, with Vickerman revealing the New Zealand international was still battling concussion symptoms after taking an elbow at training.
“He is not a guarantee. The symptoms have continued to lessen but there are still symptoms,” Vickerman said.
“Until he gets to zero symptoms, gets full practices in and regains confidence to play the way he wants to play, we will take it slow with him.”
Melbourne United host the Sydney Kings at John Cain Arena this coming Sunday at 4pm.
