Breakers stop Blaze
01/23/2010 12:20:12 PM
line and Gibson's late foul on Penney sending him for two free-throws, the Breakers went into the last three points in front 66-63.
Setting a formidable defensive zone the Breakers out-scored the Blaze with 22 points for the third quarter ten more than Joey Wrights's men who could only manage 12.
As the momentum swung in favour of the Breakers, Braswell continued to trouble the guards hitting two unanswered threes to the put the lead out to 11 points early in the fourth.
With seven minutes left on the clock Braswell hit one from just inside the arc to make it 79-65 and with a time out called by the Blaze the Breakers were pumped.
Gibson hit three to make the deficit ten but Penny found room hitting a two then a three to make it 69-84 with five to go. New Zealand continued to dominate out muscling Gold Coast on the boards with the Blaze unable to make any shots stick.
Playing their second of three consecutive home games Gold Coast (13-7) will host Melbourne (10-12) next Saturday night while New Zealand (11-13) travel north to take on Townsville.
Gold Coast Blaze – 81
(Harvey 19, Gibson 17, Maxey 17)
New Zealand Breakers – 95
(Braswell 22, Bruton 17, Ronaldson 17)