For the BNZ Breakers, Jackson-Cartwright put together a typical all-action performance with 22 points, four rebounds, nine assists, and three steals. Anthony Baker scored 18 points, Rob Loe 10 points on four from five shooting, while fellow Kiwis Reuben Te Rangi and Sam Mennenga chimed in with six points apiece. NBL Next Star Karim López was kept quiet at the offensive end scoring only four points but did contribute a season-high 10 rebounds.
Despite Loe’s strong form, it was a poor night on the boards for the Breakers as they were pounded 59-42, with the Wildcats’ 22 offensive rebounds the most they have given up this season.
The Wildcats had got away to a fast start, scoring the first eight points of the game before Baker opened the Breakers’ account. The BNZ Breakers trailed 22-14 at quarter-time but were finding the basket and settling into their work.
A Te Rangi triple cut the deficit to five points, and when Jackson-Cartwright converted a darting drive, the Breakers had a 28-27 lead midway through the second period.
The Wildcats regained the lead before Jackson-Cartwright, showing his appetite for the contest, landed amongst the corporate boxes following contact at the end of another athletic layup. He had nine points and six assists at halftime with the Breakers trailing by just five points (43-38).
A brace of threes from Baker and some guile from PJC gave the Breakers a 48-47 lead, then
an Isaiah Le’afa trey and a Carlin Davison transition basket further helped the visitors’ cause. It was a period that saw five lead changes, with the Wildcats ahead 66-60 with a quarter to play. And then Doolittle began dropping them three by three.
The Breakers will complete their four-game road stretch in North Queensland where they complete their Australian safari by taking on the Cairns Taipans on Saturday, November 22.
Following the Fiba international window, with five Breakers on Tall Blacks duty, they will then host the Sydney Kings in Hamilton in a game that doubles as an Ignite Cup fixture. Currently sitting atop the Ignite Cup, they will be hoping to back up last week’s dethroning of the Kings.
Result: BNZ Breakers 75 – Jackson-Cartwright 22 pts, Baker 18 pts, Loe 10 pts Perth Wildcats 88 – Doolittle 24 pts, Pepper 13 pts, Duke Jr. 12 pts