Recap | BNZ Breakers fight to the end in Launceston

The BNZ Breakers made big runs to close both halves but fell agonisingly short in Launceston with the Tasmania JackJumpers prevailing 79-77 but not without another huge Sam Mennenga performance, and Carlin Davison and Anzac Rissetto stepping up.

The BNZ Breakers arrived at the Silverdome having won on their last two visits to Launceston and attempting to snap a four-game losing streak but found themselves 11 points down by early in the second quarter to the JackJumpers.

But they hit back with the last 11 points of the first half to tie scores up before having to again play catch up throughout the second half after giving up the first seven points.

They were also without Charles Bediako who hurt his lower back on a heavy early fall with Parker Jackson-Cartwright ruled out of the rest of the game at half-time.

The BNZ Breakers got all the way back within two ahead of a last possession and Mennenga was left isolated up top, and got off a good look at a long two that didn’t quite fall with the JackJumpers holding on to win by two.

In what was a physical game, the biggest difference between the teams came with the foul count with the BNZ Breakers called for 27 to 15 from Tasmania, while the JackJumpers attempted 31 fere throws to 14.

The BNZ Breakers won the rebound count 37 to 30 while pulling down 13 offensive rebounds to six to end up scoring 23 second chance points to five along with 63 points in the paint to 49.

It was another monster performance from Mennenga to finish with 29 points, 17 rebounds, two assists and two blocks on 13/19 field goal shooting.

Carlin Davison stepped up again with nine assists to go with six points, five rebounds and two steals with Kouat Noi contributing nine points and three rebounds, and Anzac Rissetto six points and five boards.

Reuben Te Rangi added seven points in an important 20-minute role with Mojave King finishing with seven points, DJ Vasiljevic seven points and five rebounds, Nelson Weidemann four points and some tenacious defence, and Jackson-Cartwright two points and four assists in the first half.

The two teams had already met three times previously in Launceston with New Zealand winning the past two, but the JackJumpers were determined to get back to form inside the Silverdome and opened up a 10-point lead in the first quarter.

Tasmania were still up 27-19 by the end of one but it was Sam Mennenga keeping the BNZ Breakers in the contest with another 10 points and three rebounds already on 5/5 shooting after 18 first-quarter points last time against the JackJumpers.

The JackJumpers got out to as much as 11 early in the second quarter but the BNZ Breakers finished the half with all the momentum scoring the last 11 points.

That was spearheaded by Carlin Davison running the point and he was up to eight assists by half-time with Mennenga having 20 points and seven rebounds with scores all locked at 43-43.

Tasmania responded with the first seven points of the second half to be leading 64-55 by three quarter-time.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright didn’t return after half-time for New Zealand with Davison unable to add to his assists tally, but Mennenga had another four points and five rebounds.

The BNZ Breakers refused to go away and it was back to a two-point game with 22 seconds to go before Will Magnay missed two free throws to give them a chance.

Mennenga's long two just wouldn’t fall and the JackJumpers held on to win by two but it was a valiant effort against the odds from the BNZ Breakers.

They now have a full week before playing again when they make their return to Spark Arena next Friday night against the Brisbane Bullets.

BNZ Breakers 77 lost to Tasmania JackJumpers 79

The Silverdome, Launceston
Friday 6 November, 2026

Sam Mennenga – 29 points, 17 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 blocks
Kouat Noi – 9 points, 3 rebounds
DJ Vasiljevic – 7 points, 5 rebounds
Reuben Te Rangi – 7 points, 1 rebound, 1 steal
Carlin Davison – 6 points, 9 assists, 5 rebounds, 2 steals

Next Home game
BNZ Breakers v Brisbane Bullets

Spark Arena
Friday 13 November, 2026
7:30pm tipoff (NZ time)
Tickets available by clicking here