The New Zealand Breakers have continued their resurgence defeating the Townsville Crocodiles 91-86 at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Wednesday night.
Kirk Penney (20), Oscar Forman (19) and CJ Bruton (14) caused the damage for the Breakers while Peter Crawford (21) Corey Williams (12) and Rolan Roberts (11) starred for the Crocodiles.
It was an even affair for most of the night until the visitors pulled out its big shots late in the quarter which the homeside could not match.
It marked the third win in a row for New Zealand as it climbs back up the table and the second loss in a row for Townsville after a over time defeat at the hands of the Cairns Taipans.
New Zealand skipped to an early 8-4 lead with Kirk Penney stamping his presence with two quick three pointers.
Townsville responded to a 12-10 lead with Peter Crawford showing he too could sink form beyond the arc with a pair.
Crawford snuck in a third long-ranger on the shot clock buzzer and in the final minute to keep the homeside in front 22-19 at quarter time.
It was a sloppy return to the court with both teams guilty of air-balls and turnovers as the scoreboard ticked over.
The Breakers capitalised to close the gap 32-33 with CJ Bruton and Tony Ronaldson making nine free throws.
The Crocodiles muscled up with Cameron Tovey dominating the paint to tip in two easy baskets to stay in front 40-39 at half time.
New Zealand levelled the scores before taking a 53-47 lead with CJ Bruton gifted baskets from a technical foul and Kevin Braswell following with a three-pointer.
Townsville held on with Crawford getting back in the action after a scoreless second quarter to add 10 points to his tally and slash the visitor’s margin to 68-65 at three-quarter time.
Luke Rickert hobbled off the court at the start of the final term but he would return with five minutes on the clock.
The Crocodiles grabbed the lead back 72-70 with Corey Williams delivering a precise jump shot over a stacked defence.
The Breakers clicked into gear with Bruton delivered two three-pointers when it mattered most before Penney followed suit to close the game 91-86
Townsville Crocodiles (Crawford 21, Williams 12, Roberts 11)
New Zealand Blaze (Penney 20, Forman 19, Bruton 15)
@Townsville Entertainment Centre 08/01/10 Attendance 3480