Mennenga lifts Breakers over JackJumpers

The Tasmania JackJumpers shook off their lowest ever first quarter for their best ever second as they battled hard despite being decimated by injuries but a big night from Sam Mennenga saw the New Zealand Breakers prevail 85-75.

The Breakers welcomed back superstar point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright after a five-game suspension as they returned to Spark Arena on Thursday night against a JackJumpers team without Majok Deng, Will Magnay and Sean Macdonald.

It had the potential for Tacko Fall to dominate inside for New Zealand with Tasmania missing big men Magnay and Deng, but it ended up being Mennenga who took the most advantage for a career-best night.

It was a rollercoaster affair with New Zealand dominating the first quarter to lead 19-8 after one with 16 points in the paint and six off the eight JackJumpers turnovers who had their lowest ever opening period.

Tasmania's response was to put up 37 points for their highest ever scoring second quarter with Jordon Crawford putting up 17 of those in a stunning turnaround.

The JackJumpers would end up leading by as much as 10 early in the third quarter, but the Breakers worked back led by Mennenga from there and then dominated the fourth term.

New Zealand outscored Tasmania 24-13 in the last 10 minutes to score their second win in their last 14 minutes to improve to a 9-15 record.

It's a first win at home for the Breakers since November 2 against Adelaide with Mennenga producing 29 points and nine rebounds on a remarkably efficient 13/15 shooting including 3/4 from downtown.

Next Star Karim Lopez had another 17 points and two blocks with Matt Mooney adding 11 points and 11 assists, Fall 11 points and seven rebounds, and the returning Jackson-Cartwright eight points, six boards and five assists.

Breakers coach Petteri Koponen was proud of his team and relieve to win afterwards.

"I almost forgot how the winning feels and we've been there, and improving and getting close in many games but we just couldn’t take the last step," he said.

"Tonight in the second half we really played with unbelievable energy and that was the big difference.

"We found a group of guys who were connected and playing unbelievable defence, contesting the shots, rebounding and playing together. We had 24 assists tonight and I'm really happy for the guys for trusting the pass."

The loss from the JackJumpers leaves the door open for the Adelaide 36ers and Brisbane Bullets with them now 12-12 with Crawford finishing with 26 points and four assists.

Fabijan Krslovic also had 14 points, six rebounds and four assists, Milton Doyle 10 points, six boards and five assists, and Anthony Drmic nine points, seven rebounds and four assists.

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth couldn’t fault his team in the circumstances.

"We battled and I was really happy at least with our effort and how we were able to go out there and compete," he said.

"In the fourth they obviously we made a few more plays than we did and we had some open shots and ones around the rim that didn’t go in for us, and you're just pushing uphill once they've got a little bit of a lead."

Parker Jackson-Cartwright was back from suspension for New Zealand and made the perfect start when he picked the pocket of Tasmania's development player Nick Stoddart and went up to score the game's first points.

New Zealand would soon score eight straight points before Matt Mooney knocked down a three, and Tacko Fall made a couple of buckets at the rim and the Breakers led 19-8 after one on the back of 60 per cent shooting and forcing Tasmania into eight turnovers.

It was the lowest ever first quarter from the JackJumpers with Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford scoreless, but that changed dramatically in the second stanza.

Clint Steindl got the ball rolling for the defending champions when he knocked down a three but then Crawford got going with 10 quick points to fire the JackJumpers right back into the contest.

Tasmania then closed out the first half with the last 11 points with Doyle and Crawford scoring nine of those which saw them turn a 13-point deficit into six-point half-time lead after their best ever second period.

Steindl landed another three to start the second half for the JackJumpers to stretch their lead to 10 but the Breakers fired back and it was Sam Mennenga leading their charge.

He scored 10 points on his own in the quarter and then Fall came on for a couple of quick buckets, but still a triple from Crawford just before three quarter-time saw the JackJumpers leading 62-61.

Mennenga regained the lead for New Zealand with his third three-pointer of the game to open the fourth and the Breakers ended up starting the term with an 11-2 run with Mennenga putting up seven of those.

New Zealand's lead was back out to double-figures with four minutes to play thanks to Matt Mooney hitting a three ball and from there the Breakers got the job done to win by 10.

The Breakers now head to Melbourne to play the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday while the JackJumpers go to Sydney to play a rested Sydney Kings on Sunday afternoon.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2024/25

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 85 (Mennenga 29, Lopez 17, Mooney 11, Fall 11)

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 75 (Crawford 26, Krslovic 14, Doyle 10)

BOX SCORE