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The New Zealand Breakers moved to equal first on the NBL ladder after a 90-79 win over the Melbourne Tigers on Sunday night.

A brilliant 19-3 run in the third quarter saw the Breakers turn a nine-point deficit into a seven-point lead at the last break, and they maintained the momentum to win for the eleventh time from 16.

The Tigers were in control until midway through the third period when Thomas Abercrombie turned the game in New Zealand’s favour. Abercrombie exploded for 14 points in the period after having just one in the first half.

New Zealand continued to pour it on in the final quarter, leading by as many as 23 points before coasting to the 11-point win.

The Breakers closed the game out by out-scoring Melbourne 45-25 after the Tigers had led 54-45.

New Zealand had six players register double figures, with Abercrombie leading the way with 18, while former Tigers star Darryl Corletto added 15.

Cameron Tragardh continued his fine season for Melbourne with 22 points and Ayinde Ubaka chipped in with 17.

The Breakers dominated the paint, out-scoring the Tigers 42-24 inside while out-rebounding them 38-22.

Jackson found the open man at will, dishing out 11 assists as the Tigers were powerless to slow the Breakers once they seized the momentum. Jackson also added nine rebounds to finish just one board short of a triple-double in one of the best all-around performances of the season.

Melbourne’s loss sees them drop out of the top four, with Townsville and Cairns moving ahead on the ladder, though one  bright spot was yet another sell-out crowd.

New Zealand Breakers 90 (Abercrombie 18, Corletto 15, Bruton 14)
Melbourne Tigers 79 (Tragardh 22, Ubaka 17, Rush 16)

Crowd: 3500 at State Netball & Hockey Centre, Melbourne