Basketball: Breakers start 2004 on low note

The New Zealand Breakers were on the wrong end of the New Year's celebrations in Australia last night with a 112-103 loss to the Townsville Crocodiles.

The Breakers jumped out to an 8-0 lead in the first 90 seconds of the Australian NBL clash as Mike Chappell sank two three-pointers and skipper Pero Cameron added a lay-up.

They still led 32-28 at the end of the first quarter but Townsville had sneaked into a one-point advantage at halftime and then blitzed the Breakers 36-18 in the third to take control.

In the final quarter, the Breakers trailed by 24 points at one stage before making a now familiar late charge that reduced the deficit to seven following a Cameron three-pointer with three minutes left.

But it was too big a gap to overhaul and the Breakers finished December with four wins and four losses. Centre Ben Melmeth led the scoring for the Breakers with 23 points while Chappell added 19 and Cameron contributed 18 and six rebounds.

Guard Aaron Olson (15 points) converted 5/7 from three-point range but back-up centre Iona Enosa had an unhappy game, fouling out in just 13 minutes of court time.

Imported Townsville shooting guard Jeremy Veal led all scorers with 26 points while veteran Pat Reidy was also instrumental for the victors with 23.

Turnovers hurt the Breakers badly, committing 24 to Townsville's 14 while the visitors were also badly on the wrong end of a 27-18 foul count in front of a packed and noisy home crowd.

The Breakers now head to Brisbane for an encounter with the high-flying Bullets on Friday night knowing that they need to string together a handful of victories to stay in playoff contention.

With the Victoria Giants upsetting the Melbourne Tigers last night, the Breakers are now in 11th spot on the 12-team ANBL ladder entering the final two months of the regular season.

However, there is still a logjam between 8th and 11th spot with 13 matches still remaining for the Breakers before the playoffs.

New Zealand Breakers 103 (Ben Melmeth 23, Mike Chappell 19, Pero Cameron 18)

Townsville Crocodiles 112 (Jeremy Veal 26, Pat Reidy 23, Andrew Goodwin 18).

- NZPA