Breakers edge Sydney Kings in Hamilton to tighten grip on Ignite Cup spot

Parker Jackson-Cartwright of the Breakers during their win over the Sydney Kings at Globox Arena, Hamilton. Photo / Photosport

The New Zealand Breakers won a thriller in Hamilton, not only improving their NBL record to 6-10 but also enhancing their chances of an Ignite Cup Grand Final appearance after downing the Sydney Kings 95-90.

With the game on the line and the clock ticking down, Parker Jackson-Cartwright buried a daring three-pointer from 2m beyond the arc – the dagger that finally toppled Sydney and ended their reign.

The Breakers entered the contest sitting atop the Ignite Cup ladder with 13 points from a possible 14 and with five points accrued in this contest they have a stranglehold on top place for the NBL’s in-season tournament.

Playing their first game in Hamilton in almost seven years the Waikato crowd were treated to an up-tempo contest and kept in suspense until the final seconds.

The Breakers trailed 74-68 at three-quarter time and although they tied the scores on three separate occasions, they were still 89-87 in arrears with under three minutes to play. However, from there stifling Breakers defence and Parker Jackson-Cartwright magic held sway.

The mercurial point guard tied the scores from the free throw line with Sam Mennenga then making the go-ahead point in similar fashion.

With the result in the balance, Jackson-Cartwright’s shot found nothing but net to the delight of the home crowd and when Izaiah Brockington stole the ball on Sydney’s next possession and dunked the resulting layup the BNZ Breakers could celebrate their first back-to-back victories of the season.

Jackson-Cartwright led all scorers with 24 points and there were also double figure contributions from the Breakers other four starters. Karim López tallied 18 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks, Brockington had 17 points and 5 assists, Mennenga 13 points and Baker 10 points. Reuben Te Rangi chipped in with 6 points and 5 rebounds while Sean Bairstow’s cameo produced 2 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists in a productive 20 minutes.

The Kings had double figure contributions from Kendric Davis (18 points and 11 assists), Jaylin Galloway (16 points) and Xavier Cooks 14 points and although they led for the bulk of the tie they had no answer for the Jackson-Cartwright inspired Breakers down the stretch.

Mennenga opened the scoring, but the Breakers found themselves 10-points in arrears a little over six minutes into the contest. Te Rangi and Jackson-Cartwright threes narrowed the gap, but it was the Kings with the lead (27-26) at quarter time.

Jackson-Cartwright was forced to the bench early in the second period because of foul trouble, but despite the setback the Breakers forged a 39-35 lead with López and Baker successful from deep.

The Kings struck back through the Australian Boomers duo of Cooks and Galloway but López continued to show off his range of offensive skills – his 13 points, plus 10 from Mennenga, gave the Breakers a 49-47 halftime lead.

The Breakers made five triples in the period, the highlight a running effort from mid-court to beat the three-quarter time buzzer by Jackson-Cartwright.

Hoping to clinch a coveted spot in the Ignite Cup Final, the Breakers will take on South East Melbourne Phoenix, in their fourth and final qualifying game, on January 21 in Melbourne.

More pressing however is a clash with the Tasmania JackJumpers at Spark Arena on Saturday December 6 with new signing Tai Webster likely to be included in the Breakers lineup.

BNZ Breakers 95 – Jackson-Cartwright 24pts, Lopez 18pts, Brockington 17pts, Mennenga 13pts, Baker 10pts

Sydney Kings 90 – Davis 18 points, Galloway 16 points, Cooks 14 points