Basketball: Breakers stay cool in crisis

The Breakers' Reuben Te Rangi. Photo/ Getty Images

Determined fightback by Perth fails to make an impression as Kiwis win by 10 points.

Impressive though the first quarter was in their win over Perth, the Breakers would have taken equal encouragement from their efforts in the fourth.

The Breakers of a season ago would quite possibly have blown the big lead they built on Friday night, succumbing to the pressure of Perth's inevitable fightback.

But this year's outfit absorbed every blow, never allowing Perth to get within a possession and eventually edging the defending champions by 10 points.

The assured display down the stretch was every bit as promising as the 28-14 lead the Breakers built in the opening period. It demonstrated an ability to emerge triumphant in tight games, a hallmark of the Breakers' title-winning seasons but one missing during the disastrous last campaign.

"Last year in the close games - and [Friday] night ended up being a close game even though we played so well - we let a few of those games slip," said assistant coach Paul Henare. "To be able to hold on and perform so well against a championship side on the road, it's a huge confidence boost."

There's no doubting Cedric Jackson was the driving force behind the formidable final-quarter rearguard.

His drive to the basket through heavy traffic with a minute to play, extending his side's lead to a safe seven points, was just one highlight in an assured performance.

Jackson is the ultimate closer - with the cool head and safe hands needed to lock up any lead. He was also, as Henare revealed, not getting carried away with an opening game that produced 22 points, five assists and five rebounds.

"Cedric Jackson in the locker room, when the boys were warming down, was already saying, 'Great job but now our focus shifts to next week.' As a coaching staff, you love to hear that sort of stuff. You know the guys have enjoyed that win but realise we're one game into a 28-game season."

In addition to closing out a narrow victory, there was another aspect of their game the Breakers appear to have amended over the offseason.

Holding the home side to just 26 points in the opening 20 minutes represented an outstanding return to a defence that was much maligned last season. New import Ekene Ibekwe and an ailing Alex Pledger protected the rim, while Perth's substandard shooting from the floor (34 per cent) was notable for the number of shots they were forced to take with a hand in their face.

4 key statistics

Battle of the boards
The Breakers dominated Perth on the glass, winning the always-influential rebounding battle 40-27.

Influential imports
All three of the Breakers' top scorers (Cedric Jackson, Rhys Carter, Ekene Ibekwe) were recruited in the offseason.

Defence
The Breakers held Perth to 26 points at halftime -- tied for their fewest in a half at home.

Deadly from deep
Led by backcourt duo Jackson and Carter (6-10), the Breakers shot 45 per cent from beyond the arc.