The New Zealand Breakers have been beaten 95-91 by the Illawarra Hawks in their Australian National Basketball League game on the North Shore.
Kirk Penney in action for the Breakers Photo: Photosport
The Hawks grabbed a big lead early and managed to control the rest of the game.
Illawarra has now won three in a row and sit in third spot on the ladder, while the Breakers have lost three in a row and now sit fifth.
The Breakers again had problems valuing possession, with 16 turnovers, and sticking to defensive rules.
New guard David Stockton hit a game high 24 points, Rob Lowe had 21 and Kirk Penney 15.
"You've got to find that balance. We are definitely frustrated and disappointed, but when you lose three games in a row, keeping on cracking the whip and doing the same old thing, I don't know if we're going to get the best [out of ourselves]," Breakers coach Paul Henare said.
Breakers coach Paul Henare talks to the media. Photo: PHOTOSPORT
"That's one of the frustrating things… we're digging ourselves a hole [in games] and then we think, 'now we come out and play', and we can't continue to do that.
"We've got to look to possibly make some changes in what we're doing systematically, because it's not working in that first half."
The Breakers play Melbourne United on Sunday.
