Tacko Fall of the New Zealand Breakers. Photo: Daniel Carson
The Breakers were thumped 100-76 by the Tasmania JackJumpers in their NBL basketball clash last night in Auckland.
It's the New Zealanders' fifth straight defeat and leaves them seventh in the standings with seven wins and eight losses.
Despite flashes of promise, the Breakers struggled to contain the JackJumpers' offence as the visitors delivered their fifth straight win.
Tasmania shot 53 percent from the field and 37 percent from beyond the arc, while their bench contributed 56 points.
The Breakers were led by centre Tacko Fall, who posted a team-high 16 points with a perfect 6-of-6 from the field, four rebounds and a block.
Parker Jackson-Cartwright. Photo: John Davidson / www.photosport.nz
Co-captain Parker Jackson-Cartwright contributed 11 points, four assists and two steals in 30 minutes, while Matt Mooney added 13 points and three rebounds off the bench.
Shooting struggles plagued the Breakers throughout the game, particularly from three-point range, where they managed just 4 of 29 (14 percent).
The JackJumpers were spearheaded by Jordon Crawford and Sean Macdonald who scored 24 and 17 points respectively.
Head coach Petteri Koponen said it was a tough night where they created good scoring options but couldn't get their shots to fall.
"I felt we tried, but it wasn't our day. Basketball sometimes is so simple. They made their shots and we couldn't find a bucket today," he said.
"Confidence is a tricky thing sometimes and we need to see the ball go through the hoop, get some confidence and see the guys believe again.
"We need something extra from everyone and need to keep fighting together with that underdog mentality."
The Breakers next game is against the 36ers in Adelaide at 7.30pm on Saturday night (NZT).
