The New Zealand Breakers have kept their NBL campaign on track with a commanding 104–86 victory over the Cairns Taipans, recording back-to-back wins at a crucial stage of the season.
Sam Mennenga set the tone with a standout performance, pouring in 28 points and collecting five rebounds as the Breakers improved to a 10–15 record and stayed within reach of the top six.
New Zealand made an assertive start, edging ahead 26–21 after the opening quarter. Cairns responded with a 30-point second term, but the Breakers absorbed the pressure and still took a 55–51 lead into the main break.
The decisive move came after halftime, when the Breakers rattled off nine unanswered points in the third quarter to establish a double-digit advantage they would not relinquish, ultimately cruising to an 18-point win.
Izaiah Brockington provided strong support with 24 points, while Parker Jackson-Cartwright delivered an all-round display of 17 points, 10 assists and five steals. Highly rated Next Star Karim Lopez also impressed, finishing with 16 points and 11 rebounds.
The contest was not without controversy, with Cairns coach Adam Forde ejected midway through the second quarter following a heated exchange with officials over what he believed was another missed call involving guard Andrew Andrews, who had taken a blow to the head.
For the Taipans, Tall Blacks guard Mojave King led the scoring with 19 points in a losing effort.
