Sam Mennenga in action for the Breakers against the Phoenix. Photo: Photosport
NZ Breakers have frittered away a golden opportunity to get back-to-back Aussie NBL victories, fading late against South East Melbourne Phoenix.
The Phoenix won 87-81, finishing strongly at Auckland's Spark Arena, after the Breakers had led for most of the match.
Lapses on both offence and defence hurt the Breakers, who looked to have turned a corner after a 117-88 win over the champion Illawarra Hawks on Wednesday night halted their four-loss start to the season.
Indeed, they looked good with a storming second quarter, after trailing the Phoenix 21-15 following the first period.
With forward Sam Mennenga drilling his shots, the Breakers took a 12-point lead at halftime, with Mennenga scoring 15, including five-from-seven from the field.
The Phoenix fought back in the third quarter and the Breakers' lead was cut to three entering the final 10 minutes.
The advantage was down to two points with five minutes to go and the Phoenix hit the lead a minute later, when Owen Foxwell nailed a three-pointer.
Three points from a Malique Lewis jump shot 1m 40s later poured more pressure on the Breakers and they weren't able to respond.
Twenty-one turnovers will give the Breakers cause for reflection before their next game against the Tasmania JackJumpers in Auckland on Friday.
Mennenga led the scoring with 29 points, along with 11 rebounds, one assist and two steals, while Foxwell was top scorer for the Phoenix with 19 points.
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