PJC and Breakers light Ignite Cup defence

The New Zealand Breakers lifted for every Ignite Cup game last season before going on to win it all and now they have started that quest to go back-to-back on fire beating the Cairns Taipans 98-75 with Parker Jackson-Cartwright brilliant.

The Breakers might have missed the NBL top six last season, but they were the standout team in the inaugural Ignite Cup in-season tournament before beating the Adelaide 36ers in the Championship Game on the Gold Coast.

Now New Zealand have started that push to go back-to-back in the best possible fashion with the emphatic 23-point win against the Taipans at Spark Arena.

Not only did the Breakers win big and remain unbeaten at home to open NBL27 after beating the Illawarra Hawks first up, but they also outscored the Snakes in every quarter to claim all seven Ignite Cup points on offer.

The Breakers delivered a commanding four quarters, shooting 55 per cent from the field, 15/27 from downtown and 15/19 at the foul line, compared to the Taipans' 40 per cent on 7/36 and 10/12.

Jackson-Cartwright was once again the star in the win for New Zealand, finishing with 27 points, 10 assists and two rebounds on 5/8 from three.

Sam Mennenga didn’t need to hit the scoreboard but contributed in other areas before a big fourth quarter to finish with 18 points, nine rebounds, and six assists.

Mojave King added 14 points on 4/6 shooting from the outside, DJ Vasiljevic put up nine points and four rebounds, and Carlin Davison finished with nine points, seven boards, three assists, and three steals.

Charles Bediako also had a strong impact, delivering six points, five rebounds, and four blocks.

It was a tough night for the now 1-3 Taipans with Jack McVeigh top scoring with 16 points with three assists but going 1/11 from deep.

Malique Lewis finished with 11 points, four rebounds, and three assists; Reyne Smith added 10 points and three boards; Jaylon Brown had nine points and two rebounds; and Jonah Bolden added six points, five rebounds, two steals, and two blocks.

Keanu Pinder had just six points, seven rebounds, four steals and two assists.

The Breakers were back home for the second time this season and started better, but were only clinging to a 19-18 advantage at quarter-time thanks to a three-pointer from Shaun Bruce for Cairns at the buzzer.

Parker Jackson-Cartwright already had eight points with 2/2 shooting from deep to be setting the tone once more for the home side.

The Breakers then pushed out to a handy lead in the second quarter and were up 42-35 at the half thanks to a triple from Jackson-Cartwright to close things out.

He was up to 21 points by the break with 5/6 long-range shooting and even if Sam Mennenga had just two points on one shot attempt, he was having an impact too with six rebounds and four assists.

New Zealand shot 15/29 from the field and 7/13 from the outside, while Cairns shot 15/37 and 4/16, with Jack McVeigh and Keanu Pinder combining for 11 points on 5/17 shooting.

The lead for the Breakers blew out to 16 during the third frame, and they were still in control at 72-60 by three quarter-time, with Jackson-Cartwright up to 23 points and seven assists, and Mojave King 14 points against his team from NBL26.

Mennenga then fired in the fourth quarter for New Zealand and the home team remained undefeated at home to start NBL27 with the 23-point victory while claiming full points in the Ignite Cup.

Both teams back up to play again this round with the Breakers away to the Adelaide 36ers on Sunday while the Snakes are still on the road to Melbourne United on Saturday night.

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 98 – CAIRNS TAIPANS 75

NZ Breakers
‍Parker Jackson-Cartwright – 27 points, 10 assists, 5/8 3PT
Sam Mennenga – 18 points, 9 rebounds, 6 assists
Mojave King – 14 points, 4/6 3PT
DJ Vasiljevic – 9 points, 4 rebounds
Carlin Davison – 9 points, 7 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals

Cairns Taipans
Jack McVeigh – 16 points, 3 assists
Malique Lewis – 11 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists
Reyne Smith – 10 points, 3 rebounds
Jaylon Brown – 9 points, 2 rebounds
Keanu Pinder – 6 points, 7 rebounds, 4 steals