Breakers head coach Petteri Koponen Photo: Photosport / AAP
The Breakers have suffered a 109-71 loss at the Illawarra Hawks in the NBL to sour the debut of their new centre.
The Breakers were never in the game that meant the Hawks replaced them in second place on the table.
Coach Petteri Koponen said his side was outpaced and undone by the clinical execution of the Hawks.
"We didn't play well and it was our basic things that let us down. They are the fastest team in the league and our transition defence wasn't there tonight," he said.
"We didn't have patience to play together and couldn't find the advantages, and it doesn't help when you don't hit shots.
"We got outrun, turnovers, fast breaks.
"They had 23 points from our turnovers and 27 fast break points, we got killed."
The Breakers struggled to find their rhythm and were behind by 20 points after the first quarter and were never able to recover.
The visitors shot just 35 percent from the field and 26 percent from beyond the arc.
Co-captain Parker Jackson-Cartwright led his side with 19 points, shooting 50 percent from the field and dishing out three assists.
Centre Tacko Fall put together a strong Breakers debut, making his presence felt with five blocks and five rebounds in 14 minutes on the floor.
"There are never excuses - we need to get better and prepare for Sunday."
The 7 wins and 4 losses Breakers now travel to Perth ahead of their match against the Wildcats on Sunday.
