Basketball: Breakers make it two from two

Gary Wilkinson of the Breakers. Photo / Getty Images

The New Zealand Breakers relied on their imports to make it two from two in the Australian NBL pre-season with a 75-74 victory over the Wollongong Hawks in a near full TECT Arena at Mount Maunganui last night.

A win that looked comfortable was made close as the Hawks came within one point and had free throws to take the lead in the final minute, only to blow their chances as the Breakers held on thanks to a final-play steal from impressive American import Cedric Jackson.

Jackson also contributed 13 points and seven steals, while fellow import Gary Wilkinson scored a team-high 14 points alongside seven rebounds and new-signing Daryl Corletto chipped in with 14 points.

That frantic final minute looked unlikely throughout the night as the Breakers controlled proceedings, leading by 14 at halftime and three-quarter time as Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis once again rotated the bench, giving all his players plenty of court time in the absence of the rested Mika Vukona and Tom Abercrombie.

Veteran guard CJ Bruton was pleased with the workout for his team.

"Tonight was another good challenge for us and obviously going on the road in New Zealand and playing such a great team and a great organisation in these games is perfect. For us it is about trying to consolidate and get better as we put the pieces together for the new season," he said.

"We have replaced a few good ball players with some great young talent and tonight was a chance to have those players contribute and allow the entire group to shine. They are getting the chance to play for the defending champions and prove that we are a force to be reckoned with once again so these games are great."

The Breakers head to Brisbane next week to play in the ANBL Sunshine State Challenge pre-season tournament ahead of the opening game of the season in Sydney on October 9.

New Zealand Breakers 75 (Daryl Corletto 14, Gary Wilkinson 14, Cedric Jackson 13) Wollongong Hawks 74 (Rhys Martin 23, Tyson Demos 15)