Breakers crush Cairns Taipans in Perth to stay in playoff hunt

Izaiah Brockington of the Breakers goes to the basket during the round 17 NBL match between Cairns Taipans and New Zealand Breakers at RAC Arena in Perth. Photo / Getty Images

Paced by four outstanding individual performances, the New Zealand Breakers secured an emphatic 104-86 victory against the Cairns Taipans in Perth on Saturday.

Played as part of “HoopsFest” the contest saw the best ever Breakers win in Perth.

Leading the way for the Breakers was Sam Mennenga who posted a game-high 28 points while Izaiah Brockington scored 24 points on a highly efficient nine from 14 shooting. Karim López, with a number of NBA scouts looking on, locked away a double-double of 13 points and 11 rebounds and Parker Jackson-Cartwright was all class with 17 points, 10 assists, five steals and zero turnovers.

The Taipans received 19 points each from former Breaker Mojave King and Admiral Schofield, though Jack McVeigh was kept to just 13 points by a tireless defensive effort. Mennenga started strongly with 12 points in the opening five minutes as the Breakers moved ahead 19-11. A Tai Webster layup ensured the Breakers held a 26-21 lead at the first break.

Mennenga had 12 points inside the opening five minutes as the Breakers moved ahead 19-11. Taipans guard Andrews produced a rare four-point play although a spinning layup from Tai Webster, playing his 100th NBL game, ensured the Breakers had a five-point lead (26-21) at quarter time.

Early in the second quarter, Max Darling scored in his return for the Breakers from a 10-game injury layoff. Shortly after, Taipans head coach Adam Forde was ejected following successive technical fouls.

The Taipans shrugged off Forde’s absence to make 10 from 16 threes at 63% to trail by just two points, 55-51 in a high scoring opening half. Mennenga led all scorers at the interval with 16 points – López, in his 50th game, and Brockington with 11 points each.

Former Tall Black and Brooklyn Nets general manager Sean Marks was courtside as Mexican NBA Draft prospect Karim López played some of his best basketball of the season. His one-handed dunk and a spectacular one-handed layup, alongside 11 rebounds, two assists, and one steal, showcased the skills the teenager has to offer.

The New Zealand Breakers pulled away in the second half. Brockington scored the last seven points of the third period to establish an 80-68 lead. The team eventually registered its 10th win of the season, keeping them in contention for a playoff berth. The Breakers will stay in Australia and travel to Melbourne to play their final Ignite Cup game against the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Wednesday.

The team returns home to Spark Arena for a fixture against the Adelaide 36ers on Friday.

Result:

New Zealand Breakers 104 (Sam Mennenga 28, Izayah Brockington 24, Parker Jackson-Cartwright 17, Karim López 13).

Cairns Taipans 86 (Mojave King 19, Admiral Schofield 19, Andrew Andrews 15, Jack McVeigh 13).