The Burger King NZ Breakers continue to play a leading role as the New Zealand Tall Blacks gained further momentum with a stunning 12-point win over heavyweights France at the World Basketball Championships in Turkey on Friday morning. The win itself might not shake the foundations of the basketball world with New Zealand ranked higher (NZL 13, FRA 15) but the manner in which it was achieved will have made others take notice.
With Group D leading scorer Kirk Penney posting his tournament average 25 points and outstanding forward and fellow Burger King Breaker Mika Vukona in the form of his life with 15 points and 6 rebounds and 5 assists, the Tall Blacks played out the final minutes to perfection to secure a 12 point margin over the French and in doing so leapfrog their Gallic opponents to third in Group D. Breakers swingman Tom Abercrombie was another to contribute with his all round game capped off by a crucial pressure laden three pointer with 6 seconds left to stretch the lead to the vital 12 point margin.
The Tall Blacks secured the win on the back of a stunning 22-5 second quarter over the French, with key contributions also from experienced forward Pero Cameron and Wellington Saints guard Lindsay Tait in an all-round performance that sets the team up for their round of 16 clash with Russia in Istanbul.
Burger King NZ Breakers Head Coach Andrej Lemanis will be casting an eye towards the New Zealanders as his Aussie Boomer side also cruised into the round of 16, finishing third in group A. Lemanis will be delighted at the form of his Breakers players, with Penney, Vukona, Abercrombie in particular in world class form for the Tall Blacks and BJ Anthony and Alex Pledger also contributing from the bench.
The Burger King NZ Breakers will assemble on September 16 to finalise preparations for the upcoming ANBL season, with the first game away to Sydney on October 16 and the first home game at the North Shore Events Centre on Wednesday October 20.
Given what is happening in Turkey, fans are in for a world class season of action from the North Shore based club with interest in season tickets and corporate hosting high.
For further information on the Burger King NZ Breakers, visit www.nzbreakers.co.nz
