What else could we possibly expect?

With a fifth consecutive sold out crowd cheering them on, the Breakers managed to clean up their arch rivals, the Perth Wildcats, in convincing fashion at the North Shore Events Centre last night. New Zealand strode away from the classy Western Australian outfit to win 83 – 77 in a fantastic preview to what we hope to see come finals time.

The Breakers jumped ahead in a massive first quarter, with Tom Abercrombie, Cedric Jackson and Alex Pledger taking the Breakers on a 15 – 2 scoring run midway through the first quarter to give the team a 31 – 24 lead at the break.

However the home team slipped away in the second quarter, losing the period 20 – 11, as Perth’s Luke Nevill led his team into the lead back into a two point lead. Kevin Lisch also added 14 points to the visitors account in the first half as his side lifted to the occasion of the long awaited match.

The Breakers came back fighting in the third, as they kept the Perth side scoreless for an almost eight minute spell while racking up points at the other end of the court to give themselves a handy               66 – 54 margin at the start of the fourth.

The Perth side rallied in the fourth but it simply wasn’t enough as the New Zealand team sealed their fate, winning by a six point margin.

Kevin Lisch led the scoresheet with 20 points for the Wildcats, while Gary Wilkinson made 18, Jackson made 15 and Bruton shot a handy 14 points for the home team in limited minutes due to foul trouble. The Breakers were out rebounded 41 – 33 but Mika Vukona’s solid effort of 11 points and 10 rebounds kept the Breakers in the game.

As we continue the season the Breakers travel to play the eighth placed Wollongong Hawks next week, as they build to what will hopefully be another crack at the championship.

New Zealand Breakers 83 (Wilkinson 18, Jackson 15, Bruton 14, Abercrombie 12, Vukona 11)

Perth Wildcats 77 (Lisch 20, Redhage 15, Nevill 14)