NZ Breakers Fall Short Against Southeast Melbourne Phoenix, 81-87

The NZ Breakers squandered a promising lead late in the game, resulting in an 87-81 loss to the Southeast Melbourne Phoenix at Auckland’s Spark Arena. The Breakers, who had hoped to secure consecutive victories after previously defeating the Illawarra Hawks 117-88, found themselves unable to maintain their momentum against a resilient Phoenix team.

The match began with the Breakers trailing 21-15 by the end of the first quarter. However, a dynamic second quarter saw them rally back, with forward Sam Mennenga playing a pivotal role. Mennenga’s impressive shooting performance included 15 points in that quarter, helping the Breakers establish a 12-point lead by halftime.

Despite their strong start, the Breakers faced challenges in the second half. The Phoenix regrouped and managed to cut the Breakers’ lead to three points by the end of the third quarter. With just five minutes remaining in the game, the situation intensified as the Phoenix narrowed the gap to two points. A crucial three-pointer from Owen Foxwell allowed the Phoenix to take the lead with only a minute left on the clock.

The final minutes proved difficult for the Breakers as they struggled to respond to the mounting pressure. A jump shot from Malique Lewis further extended the Phoenix’s advantage, solidifying their victory. The Breakers finished the game with a concerning total of 21 turnovers, a statistic that will require serious reflection as they prepare for their upcoming match against the Tasmania JackJumpers on March 15, 2024.

Mennenga emerged as the standout player for the Breakers, finishing the game with a remarkable 29 points, 11 rebounds, one assist, and two steals. Meanwhile, Foxwell led the scoring for the Phoenix with 19 points, demonstrating the competitive nature of the encounter.

As the NZ Breakers look to bounce back from this setback, they will need to address both their offensive and defensive lapses to improve their chances in future games. The next matchup against the JackJumpers presents an opportunity for the Breakers to regain their footing in the Australian National Basketball League.