Breakers Dominate Bullets to Maintain Ignite Cup Lead
Sam Mennenga spearheaded the New Zealand Breakers' convincing 113-84 victory over the Brisbane Bullets on the Gold Coast, scoring 25 points. This win marked the Breakers' fourth in the NBL season and their second Ignite Cup success from two matches.
After overcoming second-half difficulties, the Breakers took full control, showing the Brisbane Bullets the strength of a cohesive team focused for all four quarters. With Ignite Cup points at stake, the Breakers played assertively to stay atop the leaderboard, competing for the $400,000 prize available at season's end.
Redemption from Previous Loss
Learning from their previous defeat at Eventfinda Stadium, where they lost a 24-point lead against the Bullets, the Breakers ensured the advantage counted this time. Midway through the second quarter, their 24-point lead grew even larger, reaching up to 37 points at one stage.
Strong Start and Consistent Performance
- The Breakers jumped to an early 18-10 lead within the first five minutes.
- They maintained momentum to end the first quarter with a 27-18 advantage.
- NBL Next Star Karim Lopez contributed eight points early in the game.
"Shaking off the second-half 'yips', the BNZ Breakers commanded the game and the Brisbane Bullets learned what a dominant team looks like when they stay on task for all four quarters."
The Breakers demonstrated resilience and precision, reinforcing their status as top contenders in the Ignite Cup.
Summary: New Zealand Breakers showcased dominance and resilience over Brisbane Bullets, securing their Ignite Cup lead with a commanding 113-84 victory.