Basketball: Breakers slash Razorbacks

By DAVE WORSLEY

The public focus may have been on text messages lately, but the New Zealand Breakers sent out a much more emphatic message last night with a 106-97 win over the West Sydney Razorbacks: We're back.

After some disappointing early results, the Breakers last night wrapped up a successful double-header and headed towards the head of the Australian National Basketball League table when they followed up their Friday night win over the Razorbacks.

Not even the presence of acclaimed 'Westie' Steve Price, the newly recruited Warriors rugby league player, could inspire the Sydneysiders and the Breakers' win was achieved comfortably at the Waitakere Stadium in west Auckland.

Once again Ben Thompson was the stand-out performer for the home team, scoring 19 points.

The 26-year-old guard was also influential in all other aspects of the game.

The overall top scorer for the Breakers was American import Mike Chappell, who appeared to be over any ankle problems as he racked up 23 points.

The Razorbacks were flat for most of the game and lacked any real domination under the basket, either defensively or offensively.

For the Breakers Ben Pepper was again in top form, pulling down 15 rebounds to go with his 17 from the previous night.

Even the normally reliable Sam MacKinnon had an off day for West Sydney by his usual high standards. He scored 18, but only one from four in three-point shots, and eight from 16 from the field. Razorbacks' import Nick Horvath finished with 19 points.

The home team went to the first break at 29-26 ahead, and were leading 52-51 at half time after a close second quarter which featured some strange shot selections by the Breakers and an improved effort by the visitors. Top scorer for the Breakers at half time with 13 was Chappell, while Thompson continued his good form from the previous night with 11 points and two steals. For the Razorbacks, Horvath was on 11 along with Simon Dwight.

The third quarter provided the impetus for the Breakers as they piled on 35 points in the quarter compared to the Razorbacks' 16. The Auckland-based side seemed to have a magic touch on all of their shots while the Razorbacks suffered from lapses in concentration and loose passing.

The win was a continuation of the form from the previous evening, and they dominated all aspects of play against the sparkless Razorbacks.

The victory set a record, as it was the first time the Breakers had scored over 100 points.

The Breakers now hold fifth spot on the points table, ahead of the Razorbacks, with three wins and three losses from six games. They play the Sydney Kings on Saturday at Waitakere.

NZ Breakers 106

(Mike Chappell 23, Ben Thompson 19, Pero Cameron 13, Aaron Olson 13)

West Sydney Razorbacks 97

(Nick Horvath 18, Sam MacKinnon 18, Simon Dwight 16).

Half time: Breakers 52 Razorbacks 51

- THE HERALD ON SUNDAY