United edge NBL thriller over Breakers

Melbourne United have survived a major scare from an impressive New Zealand Breakers side to open their 2022/23 NBL campaign with a thrilling 101-97 overtime victory.

Sunday’s clash at John Cain Arena went into extra time after Melbourne captain Chris Goulding narrowly missed a potential game-winning jump shot with the scores locked at 88-88 in the dying seconds of regulation.

But former Illawarra Hawks guard Xavier Rathan-Mayes capped a stellar United debut by scoring nine of his team-high 33 points in the overtime period while adding nine assists and five rebounds.

Goulding bounced back from a scoreless opening quarter to finish with 24 points, including six three-pointers, while new import Rayjon Tucker added 16 to help steer a new-look United to the win.

AAP (C) 2022

Xavier Rathan-Mayes (l) was outstanding in Melbourne United’s overtime NBL win over the Breakers. (James Ross/AAP PHOTOS)