Breakers wrap up Blitz beating JackJumpers

The winner of the CODE Sports NBL Blitz might have already been determined but the New Zealand Breakers wrapped up proceedings beating the Tasmania JackJumpers 96-86 with Parker Jackson-Cartwright showing the way.

With Melbourne United having already won the Loggins-Bruton Cup earlier on Sunday in Bendigo with their second win of the week, the Breakers and JackJumpers were looking to end things on a high after losing first up.

New Zealand lost back on Friday to the Sydney Kings while Tasmania went down to the Brisbane Bullets back on Thursday as they looked for some winning form to take into NBL27.

The Breakers were again without Sam Mennenga and then Josiah-Jordan James played just seven minutes while Tasmania were without starting front court Josh Bannan and Will Magnay along with Ben Ayre and Bryce Hamilton.

Noi was turning out for the first time in New Zealand colours and while he played his only four minutes of the game in the first quarter, he put up eight points on 2/3 three-point shooting to help the Breakers to the 22-19 lead by quarter-time.

The JackJumpers put up 30 points in the second quarter on 10/16 shooting from the field and 4/8 from the outside with David Johnson up to 12 points by half-time while going 2/3 from downtown.

Majok Deng also made both his triple attempts for nine points with Taran Armstrong having 11 points and four assists with Tasmania going into the half leading 49-48.

New Zealand worked back on top in the third frame with 23 points to 16 on the back shooting 10/14 from the foul line and with Parker Jackson-Cartwright adding nine points to be up to 17 already by three quarter-time.

The Breakers then had another 23 points to 21 in the fourth quarter to secure the 10-point win to end up shooting 52 per cent from the floor and 24/32 from the free-throw line.

Jackson-Cartwright was the start of the win with 23 points, eight assists and three rebounds with 7/11 shooting from the floor and 9/11 from the charity stripe.

Reuben Te Rangi used all his 392 games of NBL experience for 18 points, three rebounds and three assists as well with Charles Bediako contributing 13 points, 10 rebounds, two steals and two blocks, DJ Vasiljevic 12 points, and Carlin Davison seven points and four assists.

The JackJumpers ended up shooting 50 per cent from the field and went 20/26 from the foul line but with just three offensive rebounds and 12 turnovers, they took six fewer shot attempts.

Taran Armstrong once again took over running the team and finished with 17 points and eight assists with David Johnson going 3/5 from deep for 16 points with two assists.

Nick Marshall added 13 points and seven rebounds, Majok Deng 13 points on 3/5 shooting from the field and 5/8 from the stripe, Ben Gold 11 points and five rebounds, and Jed Richardson eight points, four boards and two assists.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 96 – TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 86

NZ Breakers
Parker Jackson-Cartwright – 23 points, 8 assists, 3 rebounds
Reuben Te Rangi – 18 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists
Charles Bediako – 13 points, 10 rebounds, 2 steals, 2 blocks
DJ Vasiljevic – 12 points, 2 rebounds
Kouat Noi – 8 points, 2/3 3PT

Tasmania JackJumpers
Taran Armstrong – 17 points, 8 assists, 2 rebounds
David Johnson – 16 points, 2 assists, 2 steals
Majok Deng – 13 points, 2/3 3PT
Nick Marshall – 13 points, 7 rebounds, 2 assists
Ben Gold 11 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists