NZ Breakers have broken their losing streak, picking up their first victory of the 2021/22 ANBL season with an 88-83 victory over Brisbane Bullets.
Returning to the court for the first time in 2022, and for the first time since an 84-75 defeat to Tasmania JackJumpers on Boxing Day, the Breakers finally ended their six-game losing run.
Led by Yanni Wetzell (27 points, eight rebounds, four assists), the Breakers shot out to a 26-19 lead at the end of the first quarter, but still managed to get over the line despite losing the next three.
The Kiwi side held a 17-point lead in the third quarter, but a spirited fightback from the Bullets threatened to condemn the Breakers to a seventh defeat on the trot.
But the Breakers held their nerve, thanks in part to import Jeremiah Martin (10 points, eight assists) in the final quarter, getting home to bring the club's record losing streak to an end.
Fellow imports Hugo Besson (12 points, four rebounds) and Peyton Siva (11 points, four rebounds, four assists) also stood out, along with captain Finn Delany (nine points, four rebounds).
Despite the victory, the Breakers still sit bottom of the ANBL ladder, one win behind the JackJumpers.
The Breakers can look to make it two wins on the bounce in their next encounter, in a rematch against the JackJumpers, facing the Tasmanian side on January 14.
