The New Zealand Breakers have broken their hoodoo against the Wollongong Hawks, claiming a hard-fought 82-74 win in their NBL clash at the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday night.
While the Hawks are languishing near the foot of the ladder, they have had the wood over the Breakers of late, winning the last two clashes between the two sides.
But after the lead swap hands on a number of occasions through the first three quarters, the home side finally took control of the match in the final term to secure an eight point win which keeps them on top of the ladder.
Tom Abercrombie's led the way for the home side with 23 points, while American Cedric Jackson had 17 points and 10 rebounds.
Another American, Joevan Catron, was the Hawks’ best finishing with a well-earned 14 points.
Wollongong proved more than a match for the defending champions in the opening term and took a 18-16 lead to the first break thanks to an 11-2 run midway through the quarter.
To prove that was no fluke the visitors had another 11-2 run in the second quarter as they continued to stifle the Breakers’ offence to maintain a narrow lead at the half, 40-38.
But the home side started to get into their rhythm after the break and despite Gary Wilkinson drawing a technical for questioning a charging call, they kept their nerve to stay in touch.
The Breakers trailed 56-54 heading into the final term but led by Abercrombie, who had 12 points in the last quarter, they fought back to eventually run away with the victory.
The win elevates the Breakers to 16-6 for the season, still top of the competition ladder, with a home clash against Townsville Crocs looming next Thursday.
Wollongong slide to 6-15 and next face Gold Coast Blaze at home next Friday.