Breakers tame 'Cats in return

BEN WATSON/Auckland Suburbans

HUSTLE PLAY: Breakers forward Dillon Boucher hits the floor to save possession in front of Perth's Kevin Lisch during their Australian NBL game at the North Shore Events Centre.

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An air of optimism returned at the NZ Breakers after pricking the Perth Wildcats' basketball bubble with a 83-74 win in Auckland tonight.

Leaders Perth arrived full of confidence after five straight wins in the Australian National Basketball League but they couldn't overcome a Breakers side who put some recent troubles behind them.

Still without injured star Kirk Penney and having farewelled underachieving American import Awvee Storey during the week, the Breakers ended a two-match losing slump in style.

They opened up a 29-12 early in the second quarter and controlled the match from there, although there were some shudders when Perth climbed back to 43-37 down by halftime and within four points early in the third stanza.

The hosts gradually pulled clear, helped by an excellent second half from young forward Thomas Abercrombie, who recorded a game-high 23 points.

Oscar Forman did most of his good work early to end with 18 points while Rick Rickert contributed 12.

Defence was the big improvement from the Breakers, with veteran Dillon Boucher hustling supremely well, recording three blocks, two steals and six offensive rebounds.

Perth danger man Shawn Redhage finished with 18 points although he didn't have the same impact as last Sunday when the teams met in Perth and the Breakers crashed by 20 points. Stephen Weigh scored 15 and Luke Schenscher 13.

Veteran Australian guard Rillie, who joined the team midweek to alleviate their personnel shortages, played 14 minutes. The 38-year-old, shot one of his two three-point shots in a quiet Breakers debut, although he contributed five rebounds.

The mid-table Breakers improve their record to five wins and five losses while Perth drop to 6-3.

NZ Breakers 83 (Thomas Abercrombie 23, Oscar Forman 18, Rick Rickert 12, CJ Bruton 10) Perth Wildcats 74 (Shawn Redhage 18, Stephen Weigh 15, Luke Schenscher 13). 1Q: 26-12, HT: 43-37, 3Q: 64-56.

- NZPA