Breakers go top
02/02/2012 10:08:57 AM
The New Zealand Breakers have bumped the Perth Wildcats from top spot on the NBL ladder after claiming an 83-77 win in their top-of-the-table clash in Auckland on Thursday night.
The game appeared destined for a grandstand finish a few minutes into the third quarter when Perth led by only four points (49-45).
But the hosts blew the contest wide open when they nailed 17 unanswered points to take a 12-point lead (66-54) at three-quarter time and the Wildcats would not recover.
Cedric Jackson (15 points, 10 assists) and Mika Vukona (11, 10 rebounds) both recorded double-doubles for the Breakers and they found sound support in the form of Gary Wilkinson (18), CJ Bruton (14) and Thomas Abercrombie (12).
For the Wildcats, Kevin Lisch hit a game-high 20 points and he was ably assisted by Shawn Redhage (15) and Luke Nevill (14).
Perth now sit in second spot with eight matches to go.