Breakers Secure Vital Victory Following Cairns Coach’s Ejection

Bassyonni

ago 2 hours

Breakers Secure Vital Victory Following Cairns Coach’s Ejection

The New Zealand Breakers secured a crucial win against Cairns Taipans with a score of 104-86 during the NBL season. This important victory took place at HoopsFest in Perth and came after a significant moment in the game—the ejection of Taipans coach Adam Forde.

Key Game Events

Coach Forde has been vocal about his dissatisfaction with the officiating, particularly regarding point guard Andrew Andrews. His frustrations hit a peak midway through the second quarter when a no-call followed an apparent foul on Andrews. Following his outburst towards the referees, Forde was removed from the game.

Performance Highlights

Sam Mennenga led the Breakers with an impressive 28 points and 5 rebounds.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright contributed significantly with 17 points and 10 assists.
Izaiah Brockington added 24 points to the Breakers’ tally.
Next Star Karim Lopez recorded a double-double with 16 points and 11 rebounds.

Quarter Breakdown

The Breakers began strong, leading 26-21 after the first quarter, driven by 12 points from Mennenga. Despite the Taipans rallying back in the second quarter and scoring 30 points, including 13 points each from Admiral Schofield and Mojave King, the Breakers maintained a slim lead of 55-51 at halftime.

In the third quarter, the Breakers pulled away with nine consecutive points, establishing a comfortable double-digit lead that would ultimately secure their 18-point victory.

Season Implications

This win was vital for the Breakers, improving their record to 10 wins and 15 losses. They are now within striking distance of the sixth-placed Tasmania JackJumpers, who hold a record of 12 wins and 13 losses.

In contrast, the Taipans dropped to 7 wins and 18 losses. After Forde’s ejection, assistant coach Will Lopez took over for the final two and a half quarters. Despite Schofield and King scoring 19 points each, the team struggled outside of the second quarter, highlighting their inconsistency throughout the game.

Conclusion

The Breakers’ victory not only keeps their playoff hopes alive but also underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Cairns, especially with the coaching dynamics in play. The next few games will be critical for both teams as they navigate the latter part of the season.