TOWERING import Tacko Fall produced the best game of his NBL season, stepping up to record a massive double-double in the absence of suspended Parker Jackson-Cartwright and guide New Zealand to a big win over Cairns Taipans.

In a battle of the bottom two sides with nine (New Zealand) and 15 (Cairns) game losing streaks on the cards, it was a vital victory for the former. Having last won against the Taipans, the Breakers – who started the season promisingly but have struggled of late – were able to get on top and keep their chances of a Play-In Tournament spot alive.

There was nowhere to hide for the Taipans as the Breakers completely took them to town in a four-quarter dominant performance. The New Zealand side won every quarter, with three of them being by six or more points to lead by six, 10, 18 and eventually 24 points at each of the major breaks in the 92-68 victory at Cairns Convention Centre.

From the tip-off it was clear the Breakers were on-song as Fall – who only spent 16 minutes on court, produced a ridiculous 21 points and 12 rebounds – including four offensive – en route to a massive double-double. Without Jackson-Cartwright, the Breakers needed to find points somehow, and it came through both Fall and guard Matt Mooney who knocked down 23 points and picked up 10 assists in a second double-double for his team on the night.

Mooney also managed three rebounds and three steals in the win, with the duo being the clear top scorers for the Breakers. Next best was centre Sam Mennenga off the bench with 11 points as well as five rebounds and two assists, while Mojave King (six points, six rebounds and two assists) and skipper Mitch McCarron (eight points, five rebounds and three assists) stepped up to support Mooney without their star ball-handler.

Tanner Groves was the standout for the Taipans with 21 points and eight rebounds, while teammates Rob Edwards (16 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals) and Sam Waardenburg (11 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals) also notched up double-digit points. Edwards’ shooting radar was way off though, managing just two of 11 from the field, including on e of seven from three-point range, but luckily got to the charity stripe for 11/12.

New Zealand coach Petteri Koponen praised the work of Mooney, McCarron and Fall in spearheading the victory.

“I have to give big credit to Matt Mooney and Mitch McCarron especially Mitch who it hasn’t been easy for during the season behind Parker,” he said.

“But tonight how he controlled the game together with Matt, we were sharing the ball excellent and also defensively we were great, and Mojave King did a great job with Rob Edwards. “This guy (Fall) next to me also was amazing and impactful with all his minutes that he was on the floor.”

Cairns coach Adam Forde said it was a disappointing result for the Snakes given the occasion.

“Obviously disappointed because it was a good turnout and the fans were fantastic and packed the place out for New Year’s Eve,” he said.

“Everything was just a bit of a grind and it just needed one team to string together a few in-a-row, and New Zealand were the ones and then as you saw the result looked terrible.”