9 Dec 2011

Breakers beat Blaze

5:22 am on 9 December 2011

The New Zealand Breakers have extended their lead at the top of the Australian National Basketball League following a 106-85 win over Gold Coast on the North Shore.

In an often testy encounter, the home team reeled off a 23-4 scoring run in the second quarter to turn a nine-point deficit into a 10-point lead.

The Blaze closed within six points near the end of the third quarter after a player from each side were thrown out of the game, but the Breakers responded with the next 11 points to put the issue beyond doubt.

Power forward Mika Vukona became the first Breaker to amass 1,000 points and 1,000 rebounds for the club, leading all scorers with 21 points, 11 rebounds and six assists.

Tom Abercrombie also had a double-double with 18 points and 10 rebounds, while Daryl Corletto and Alex Pledger each scored 18 points.