NZ Breakers' rollercoaster Australian NBL campaign continued on Friday with an emphatic 111-82 demolition of Cairns Taipans on the road.
The result sees the side bounce back from lopsided defeats to South East Melbourne Phoenix and Tasmania JackJumpers, lifting them to eighth on the overall competition standings.
The visitors shot out of a cannon from the opening tip, going on a 15-0 run in the first quarter on their way to a season-high 36 points for the period.
That lead ballooned to 62-36 at the halfway mark, and the Breakers never looked back, riding a red-hot 58 percent shooting to close out the contest.
Coach Mody Maor's decision to start 'Next Star' Mantas Rubstavicius paid off, with the Lithuanian contributing a season-high 21 points, eight rebounds, three assists, and a steal in his best game yet for his new club.
The 21-year-old shot an efficient 5/8 from the field - including a pair of threes - and was rewarded for his aggression with a parade to the free throw line, where he sank all nine of his attempts.
Anthony Lamb top-scored with 29 points (four three-pointers) and eight boards, while fellow US import Parker Jackson-Cartwright added 20 points and eight assists. Finn Delany chimed in with 11 points and seven boards.
"We were due for a good game," said Breakers coach Mody Maor.
"We've been feeling that we've been doing the right work, and good work, for a while now but it hasn’t shown in the win column.
"I'm happy the boys got a chance to experience this, they deserved it big time."
The Breakers will attempt to string together an elusive second straight win when they host Sydney Kings on Friday.
NZ Breakers 111 (Lamb 29, Rubstavicius 21, Jackson-Cartwright 20) Cairns Taipans 82 (Armstrong 15, Miller 13, Mennenga 13)
