BNZ BREAKERS WIN FIRST GAME IN JAPAN AHEAD OF NBL26 OPENER
The BNZ Breakers overcame a hugely physical challenge from home side Nagasaki Velca in front of a capacity and raucous Happiness Arena crowd on Friday night, edging their hosts 93-90.
The BNZ Breakers showed tremendous depth and courage in finding a way to win, willing themselves to the final buzzer on the back of an impressive first up performance from American centre Rob Baker II (26 points, 11 rebounds) and fellow big Sam Mennenga (25 points, 5 rebounds), and a stat sheet stuffing performance from Carlin Davison with 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists and 3 steals.
The BNZ Breakers went into the game with just 9 players suited up, with Reuben Te Rangi (illness) not having boarded the plane to Japan, while Max Darling and Parker Jackson-Cartwright was not risked, with eyes on the NBL season opener at Spark Arena on Friday, 19th September – even though the American point guard has been back training with the wider group.
The home side was led by impressive American import Stanley Johson (37 points) and former Breaker Jarrell Brantley (15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists), while another former BNZ Breaker in Akil Mitchell chipped in with 6 points and 6 boards.
Nagasaki’s strong beakers links extended to the bench, with head coach Mody Maor and assistant Paul Henare, both former BNZ Breakers coaches, and Henare a legend of the club with his number retired to the rafters at Atlas Place.
After bursting out to an impressive early lead, the BNZ Breakers withstood several runs from Nagasaki and won the game in the closing moments thanks to a clutch corner three from Izayah Le’afa, and some strong defence in the crucial final few possessions.
Despite regularly trailing by close to double digits, Nagasaki never threw in the towel, bringing a physical game to the BNZ Breakers with Brantley, Mitchell and Johson doing their best to intimidate the visitors. But the BNZ Breakers relished the challenge – even when undersized, winning the rebound count 46 to 33 and forcing Johson into many rushed shots, the American needing 26 attempts for his 37 points.
Next Star Karim Lopez saw his first minutes of the pre-season as the 18-year-old continues to manage his return from a back injury, while Kiwi centre Rob Loe also took to the floor for the first time after missing the Blitz in his return to fitness. While neither player posted significant numbers in the box score, coach Koponen will be delighted to see both on the floor and edging closer to full fitness.
The BNZ Breakers back up immediately against more Japanese opposition in the same venue on Saturday at 8 pm NZT, playing the Kumamoto Volters.
The focus, however, continues to be the opening game of the Hungry Jacks NBL, when the BNZ Breakers host the Brisbane Bullets at Spark Arena on Friday, 19th September. Tickets are selling fast at https://fans.nzbreakers.basketball/tickets
BNZ Breakers 93 - Baker II 26 points, 11 rebounds; Mennenga 25 points, 5 rebounds; Davison 12 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
Nagasaki Velca 90 – Johnson 37 points; Brantley 15 points, 9 rebounds; Kumagai 10 points.
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