Basketball: Breakers clinch overdue nailbiter

SYDNEY- Their National Basketball League (NBL) play-off aspirations were already long consigned to the realms of fantasy but the New Zealand Breakers can at least revel in a fairy tale climax thanks to a buzzer-beating 108-106 win over the Cairns Taipans last night.

The 9-win 21-loss cellar dwellers have rightly received more brickbats than bouquets but a tired squad can enjoy Valentine's Day after Dillon Boucher sealed only the Breakers third away win in 14 attempts at the Cairns Convention Centre last night.

On the receiving end of four one-point losses in the regular season -- the latest a 109-108 nail biter against the Townsville Crocodiles last Wednesday more heartache loomed when the out of post-season contention Taipans reeled in a nine-point deficit down the stretch.

When guard Aaron Olson fouled skipper Anthony Stewart with six seconds to go and the scores locked at 106, it appeared the Taipans would have the final say.

However, Stewart was astray with both attempts and Dillon Boucher claimed a vital rebound to give the Breakers a chance to break the deadlock before overtime.

"They came down with possibly the last shot of the game. We said he don't want to foul but .... As it panned out he missed both shots, we rebounded and Paul Henare did a great job getting the ball down the floor," departing head coach Frank Arsego said.

Henare passed to former Taipan Marcus Timmons who, despite being sandwiched by three defenders, got off a shot than Tall Black Boucher tipped in before the buzzer.

"It was just our time at last," Arsego said, reflecting on a string of narrow misses than helped keep the franchise at the bottom of the league this year.

"It was great. They worked so hard and for us to back up after a good three quarters against Townsville the night before was pretty demanding."

The Breakers held the Crocodiles for three quarters on Saturday night only for the big improvers to eventually cruise to a 133-110 victory and extend their winning streak to nine.

Arsego was relieved the team were able to put that disappointment behind them and bounce back in the second leg of their Queensland doubleheader.

American import Mike Chappell, who was scoreless in the first term, eventually top scored with 24 points for the Breakers, while Timmons contributed 18 and 13 rebounds.

The Taipans led 32-25 at the end of the first quarter and 52-58 at the main break but the revitalised Breakers hit the first seven points of the second half and constructed a 19-2 scoring run lead 80-71 entering the home stretch.

It was then the Taipans turn to rally as eight points in two minutes by Stewart handed his side a 93-92 lead with 5:30 left in the game.

Both sides then traded baskets until fortune finally favoured the Breakers when Stewart missed his brace of free throws.

The Breakers cannot avoid the wooden spoon but can finish on a high with a doubleheader against Perth Wildcats on Friday and Sunday in Western Australia.

"If we can get to 10 or 11 wins considering the quality of the competition and those heart- breaking losses it'll be a good recovery," Arsego said.

- NZPA