Bullets produce miraculous fightback in NZ

Tyrell Harrison has produced a crucial defensive double-play to seal the Brisbane Bullets' remarkable 84-83 NBL comeback win over the New Zealand Breakers.

The Bullets trailed by 24 points as Breakers big man Sam Mennenga dominated the first half at Eventfinda Stadium on the North Shore in Auckland on Thursday night, but fought their way back into the contest.

Casey Prather continued his hot form with another 23 points, 12 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocks for Brisbane while replacement import Lamar Patterson came up huge with 20 points and six rebounds.

Not only that, but he hit the last two shots of the game against the only other NBL team he has played at with the second putting the Bullets up one with 9.4 seconds to go.

The Breakers still had the last possession and guards Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Izayah Le'Afa each had two-point attempts on the final play, but both were swatted away off the ring by Bullets hero Harrison.

Harrison also ended the game 16 points, 11 rebounds and two blocks for the Bullets while former MVP Jaylen Adams had 14 points, five assists and three rebounds, and Kiwi Taine Murray 10 points and five boards in his home country.

Mennenga only had two points in the second half for New Zealand to end the game on 27 with six rebounds, four assists and two steals on 12/19 shooting.

But it was a tougher night offensively for guards Jackson-Cartwright (17 points, six rebounds, five assists) and Izaiah Brockington (12 points, six boards) who combined to shoot 12/38 from the floor.

The struggles continued for import big man Rob Baker II as well who had just three points and two rebounds with two shot attempts.

Mennenga produced an outrageous first-half display, pouring in 25 points in the first 18 minutes of what was a one-sided contest to that point.

The Breakers led 52-28 before Mennenga was benched late in the second period and couldn't prevent Brisbane's second-half fightback.

The lead had evaporated by the early stages of the last quarter, and the Breakers found themselves in foul trouble, putting the visitors ahead with six minutes left.

Both sides had chances to win it before Harrison pulled off the decisive play.

The Breakers don't play again until being away to the Illawarra Hawks next Friday night while the Bullets have another lightning quick turnaround to host the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 83 (Mennenga 27, Jackson-Cartwright 17, Brockington 12)

BRISBANE BULLETS 84 (Prather 23, Patterson 20, Harrison 16)

BOX SCORE