NZ Breakers have fallen to their second pre-season defeat at the Australian NBL Blitz at Darwin, beaten 85-81 by Illawarra Hawks.
The match seemed destined for a more one-sided outcome, when the Breakers managed just two field goals (1/11 from three-point range) in the opening quarter to trail by 17 points heading into the second.
But the Auckland-based side - missing captain Tom Abercrombie and import Barry Brown Jr through injury - found their rhythm from the outside and ramped up their defensive pressure to surge back into the contest.
Led by newcomer Cam Gliddon, who sank four of his six triples for a total of 15 points, the Breakers pulled the deficit back to within three points heading into the final quarter, when they edged ahead to raise hopes of an improbable comeback.
But sloppy turnovers came back to haunt the Breakers, as Hawks import Tyler Harvey (27 points) steered his die to the finish line.
French 'Next Star' guard Rayan Rupert was again the best of the Kiwi side, netting 17 points on four-of-nine shooting from deep to go with eight rebounds.
Guard Izayah Le'afa added a well-rounded line of 15 points, five boards and nine assists, while forward Tom Vodanovich chipped in 13 points.
The Breakers round out their tournament against Sydney Kings on Friday.
Illawarra Hawks 85 (Harver 27, Froling 19, Robinson 13) NZ Breakers 81 (Rupert 17, Gliddon 15, Le'afa 13, Vodanovich 13)
