NZ Breakers have snapped a two-game losing run and picked up their first away victory of the new ANBL season, defeating Tasmania JackJumpers 97-92 at Launceston.
Led by a double-double to Anthony Lamb (24 points, 11 rebounds) and a 22-point haul from Parker Jackson-Cartwright, the Breakers won the first three quarters at Silverdome and picked up their third win of the new campaign.
The Auckland outfit were made to work, as the JackJumpers threatened to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, clawing back from 13 points down to trail by just one entering the final minute.
An Izayah Le'afa steal proved crucial, as the Breakers consolidated their efforts to leave Tasmania with a victory.
"We showed character, we showed toughness, we played together and we played well," said coach Mody Maor. "It's a very big win for us.
"We have a strong locker room with people who care and I'm happy they responded the way they did, but this is just step one. It's not one step that we need to make.
"There's a lot [to do] and we can still be a lot better."
The win sees the Breakers up to eighth on the Aussie NBL ladder, behind Cairns Taipans on points differential, but Maor's side have two games in hand over the third-placed JackJumpers, as well as South East Melbourne Phoenix, Perth Wildcats and Brisbane Bullets - making up four of the top six.
The Kiwi side now return to New Zealand for back-to-back home games against last-placed Illawarra Hawks and ninth-placed Adelaide 36ers over the coming week to reignite their season.
NZ Breakers 97 (Lamb 24, Jackson-Cartwright 22, Le'afa 11, Delany 11) Tasmania JackJumpers 92 (Magnay 20, Doyle 17, Crawford 13, McVeigh 12)
