The New Zealand Breakers basketball team have lost their first game, going down 111-122 to the Cairns Taipans in Auckland.
Despite a full house keen to see the Breakers extend their 3-0 season record, the home side were out-hustled by the taller Taipans and also found themselves on the wrong end of a heavy 37-25 foul count.
Star guard Kirk Penney had an off night and his side felt it, out-rebounded 37-31 and allowing the visitors 50 free-throws to their 16.
The home side scrambled back to lead 60-52 at the half but the Taipans' 70-point haul in the second half buried any chances of a fourth straight victory at the North Shore Events Centre.
Rick Rickert was the locals' best with a 25-point, 10-rebound double double.
The Breakers still top the table for now.
