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The BNZ Breakers have opened their two-game pre-season tour of Japan with a win.
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 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 were 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 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 home side were led by impressive American import Stanley Johson (37 points) and former Breaker Jarrell Brantley (15 points, 9 rebounds, 4 assists), while another former Breaker in Akil Mitchell chipped in with 6 point and 6 boards.
Nagasaki’s strong Breakers links extended to the bench, with head coach Mody Maor and assistant Paul Henare both former 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.
The BNZ Breakers back up immediately playing the Kumamoto Volters in the same venue on Saturday at 8pm NZT,
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.
“We are progressing well having won the pre-season NBL Blitz in Canberra against all other NBL teams, but this is a chance to tune up ahead of the season proper.” said Head Coach Petteri Koponen.
“The Japanese B.LEAGUE is an incredibly competitive competition, and we know these games will be a real test for us. We continue to test our plays and combinations, but I am pleased with how the team is coming together as a unit.”
“This is a fantastic opportunity for our team to get some quality game time against strong international competition,” said Dillon Boucher, President of Basketball Operations.
“But our eyes are firmly on the season ahead. And we are excited by the energy coming from our fans who have responded to the call to get “Back in Black. Tickets are still on sale, but are moving fast.”
The team will return to Auckland in time for their NBL26 season opener against the Brisbane Bullets at Spark Arena on Friday, 19 September.
Press release
AloJapan.com