Basketball: Breakers end dismal run

The New Zealand Breakers' dismal start to the Australian National Basketball League took a turn for the better in Auckland last night when they beat the West Sydney Razorbacks 90-83.

The win ended what has been a nightmare week for the New Zealanders after it was revealed that star forward Dillon Boucher will face disciplinary action after a text message he sent to former coach Jeff Green contained derogatory comments about coach Frank Arsego.

The upset win should go a long way towards dispelling rumours of dissent among the ranks.

The Breakers will be hoping to back up again tonight when the sides meet again at Waitakere's Trusts stadium.

The Razorbacks ran rampant through the Breakers' defence early on and led 27-18 at the first quarter.

The opening minutes of the second quarter did not get much better for the home side.

But some Ben Thompson magic, which saw him nab two steals and a three-pointer, allowed the Breakers back into the game.

Trailing their opponents by just one, 45-46 at halftime, the Breakers charged into the third quarter and through some classy shooting from Mike Chappell.

Result:

New Zealand Breakers 90 (Ben Pepper 21, Shawn Redhage 15, Lindsay Tait 13)

West Sydney Razorbacks 83 (Nick Horvath 21, Sam Mackinnon 20, Simon Dwight 13).

Halftime: Razorbacks 46-45.

- NZPA