The NZ Breakers have fallen to their fourth-consecutive defeat on Thursday night, capitulating in the second half to be edged 82-79 by Melbourne United in Bendigo.
After leading by 16 points at halftime courtesy of a 54-point offensive explosion, the Breakers - mired by foul trouble - could only manage 28 in the second half, as they lost their steam and United came roaring back.
Both Rasmus Bach and center Colton Iverson fouled out of the game, while United - behind Tall Blacks point guard Shea Ili - turned up the defensive pressure, at one stage keeping the Breakers scoreless through a six-minute stretch and holding on to secure the win.
Swingman Finn Delany was the best of the Breakers, scoring 17 points with five rebounds and four assists to go with two blocks.
Ili finished with 16 points on 6/9 shooting for Melbourne, with Mitch Mccarron had a well-rounded line of 16 points, seven rebounds and seven assists.
The defeat consigns the Breakers to eighth on the ANBL ladder.
They'll have a chance to snap that losing streak against the Brisbane Bullets on Saturday night.
