A TERRIFIC fourth quarter performance from the New Zealand Breakers saw the home side overrun the Sydney Kings at Claudelands Arena when the two sides clashed in the National Basketball League (NBL) Ignite Cup last night.

The come-from-behind victory was sparked by a lift in production from point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright, who was able to put the team on his back and prove the catalyst as the Breakers stormed home to steal a five-point victory across the Tasman.

It was the first clash in the NBL since the international break, and both teams were looking to start the back half of the fixture in fine form. The Kings entered the clash as slight favourites, but defeating the Breakers in New Zealand can be tricky, and the week off certainly evened the playing field coming into the match.

In the end, the home side were simply too strong in the final period, overcoming a double-digit deficit to claim their sixth win of the season and stay in touch with the play-in teams heading into the second half of the fixture.

New Zealand Breakers (95) def. Sydney Kings (90)

The Kings stormed out of the gates to silence the crowd early at Hamilton, leading by 10 points early in proceedings as Sydney looked to take control early. However, the Breakers steadied to reduce the deficit to one point at the first change and drag themselves back into the contest with a late run, and continued that charge in the second frame.

New Zealand was in control of the second quarter and it was the team’s young buck who proved to be providing the spark for the Breakers. Next Star Karim Lopez was electric in the first half, dropping 13 points, five rebounds and two blocks prior to the main change, to help the Breakers lead by two points at half time, despite committing 11 turnovers.

New Zealand’s inability to hold onto the ball was beginning to prove crucial within the context of the match, with consistent turnovers resulting in the home side coughing up the lead and trailing by as much as nine points. However, Jackson-Cartwright nailed a heave from near half-court on the three-quarter time buzzer to give his team some spark and he continued his efforts from there.

The import guard was dominant after half time, and stepped up with the game on the line in the fourth quarter. His shotmaking was too much for the defence to handle, as the Breakers outscored the Kings 27-16 in the final frame to end up taking over the match and putting the pressure back on the visitors. In the end, it was New Zealand emerging victorious to the tune of five points in what could be a decisive win in the context of its season.

Jackson-Cartwright was dominant after half time, dropping 21 of his 24 points in the final two quarters to steer his team to victory. He also shot the ball at an efficient clip as well, nailing eight of his 12 attempts from the field and a blistering six from eight from behind the arc, particularly hitting his stride from long range after half time in a match-winning performance.

Although the star guard gets the plaudits for his efforts after half time, Lopez’s impact in the first 20 minutes of play was just as crucial, with the NBA Draft hopeful keeping his side in touch after the Kings fired early. With scouts from the Charlotte Hornets in the building, he finished the contest with 18 points, six rebounds, four assists, one steal and two blocks in a stat-stuffing performance. His efficiency was worthy of applause too, shooting 8/12 in a showing that delivered plenty of maturity.

Kings superstar Kendric Davis played a strong game of his own despite the result, producing a double-double of 18 points and 11 assists, overcoming some poor shooting from range to get others involved with his playmaking. Big man Xavier Cooks also fought valiantly in defeat, stuffing the stat sheet in his own right with 14 points, seven rebounds and six assists.