Breakers prevail despite Hunter onslaught

Izaiah Brockington made an early statement and the new era at New Zealand Breakers began impressively with a first up 109-101 win at the CODE Sports NBL Blitz over the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Canberra.

Brockington was mighty impressive in his first hit out in Breakers colours with 22 points, 13 rebounds, four assists and three steals in an entertaining affair featuring 210 points between the two teams.

Both were making their first appearance at the AIS Arena for the pre-season tournament with the Breakers looking resplendent in their blue-and-black uniforms as they get back to their roots in NBL26.

While missing Next Star Karim Lopez along with import forward Robert Baker II and returning veteran Rob Loe, the Breakers raced out of the blocks putting up 31 points in the first quarter.

South East Melbourne already had a couple of hit outs last week before the Blitz and were just about at full despite new import John Brown III not suiting up despite being with the team.

The Phoenix put up 27 points themselves in that first quarter before another 26 in the second but New Zealand added another 28 to be leading 59-53 at the half with new import Izaiah Brockington already having 15 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Jordan Hunter had 17 points up the other end for the Phoenix but the Breakers kept their advantage and were out to an 11-point lead at three quarter-time before Reuben Te Rangi pushed it out to 15 early in the fourth.

New Zealand went on to score the eight-point win from there to open their Blitz in impressive fashion and along with the Brockington delivered, Sam Mennenga also had 20 points and nine rebounds.

Reuben Te Rangi also had 15 points and four rebounds ahead of his return to New Zealand while Parker Jackson-Cartwright contributed 15 points, five rebounds and five assists, Max Darling 14 points, and Sean Bairstow 12 points.

There was plenty to like for the Phoenix too who still put up 101 points with Jordan Hunter ending up with 21 points on 7/10 shooting from the floor and 7/7 at the foul line.

Next Star Malique Lewis added 15 points and six rebounds, Nathan Sobey 13 points, six boards and five assists, Owen Foxwell 11 points, five rebounds and five assists, Angus Glover 11 points, Hunter Maldonado 11 points, five boards, three steals and three assists, and DJ Mitchell 10 points.

The Phoenix play their final Blitz game against the Sydney Kings on Sunday before flying home.

FULL TIME STATS

Hunter: 21p/2r/1blk
Lewis: 15p/6r/2a
Sobey: 13p/6r/5a/1stl/1blk
Maldonaldo: 11p/5r/3a/3stls
Glover: 11p
Foxwell: 11p/5r/5a/2stls
Mitchell: 10p/5r/1a/1blk
Bleijenbergh: 9p/3r/4a
Gak: 5r/1stl/1blk
Foster: 1r/1a

CLICK HERE TO GET TICKETS TO PHOENIX'S FIRST HOME GAME ON NBL26 AGAINST THE CAIRNS TAIPANS ON SEPTEMBER 20 AT JOHN CAIN ARENA.