The NZ Breakers have been run down in the second-half of their latest Australian NBL game in Launceston.
The Breakers led by five after the first 12 minutes and were level at the break against the Illawarra Hawks, but faded badly as the match went on.
Trailing by just one point at three-quarter time, the Breakers lost the final frame by seven, eventually losing 75-67, to all but end their faint playoff hopes.
Swingman Tom Abercrombie and guard Tai Webster had 14-points apiece, while William McDowell-White added 13 in the absence of star import Levi Randolph.
A disappointed coach Dan Shamir admitted fatigue played a role in the Breakers second-half woes, after playing five games in 10 days.
"We really struggled with our offence [in the second half] with turnovers and out shot-making, maybe there was a little bit of fatigue," he said.
"We tried to do the right things, and at the end of the game we didn't do them exceptionally great in the second half, but it was already a bit of a mess.
Randolph is expected to miss Sunday's game against the Perth Wildcats with a minor hamstring tear.
