Just three days after their heart-breaking double-overtime loss to the Breakers at home, the Blaze seemed to have adjusted better to the occasion, rattling off an eight-point run in the opening quarter that gave them a lead they would retain deep into the final minute.The margin grew as wide as 21 in the final quarter, but the Breakers rallied furiously down the stretch and drew level when CJ Bruton sank a pair of free throws with 32 seconds remaining.

On the next possession, Adam Gibson lured Tom Abercrombie into his fifth personal foul and coolly slotted both freebies to restore the Coast's advantage. American Darryl Hudson added the icing to deny the Breakers their miracle."Sitting in the video room a few days ago was a totally different feeling," reflected Blaze coach Joey Wright. "But that was probably the best we had played all year and if we could slow down some of their guys, we would be OK.""We can take a lot of confidence from ... if we can play with these guys, we feel we can play with anybody."

For the Blaze, big American Ira Clark largely dominating his markers for 23 points/11 rebounds before fouling out and guard Chris Goulding contributing 21 points (3/5 3pt).

Kirk Penney led the Breakers scoring with 21, but was harassed by Gibson for most of the game and had to work hard for his points (6/16 FG, 2/9 3pt).

American Gary Wilkinson and guard Bruton had 17 points each, while Mika Vukona accumulated a double double of 13 points/12 boards.

Penney had the home team off to the perfect start with a trey off the very first possession of the game, but Hudson got the Blaze on the board with a steal and an easy layup at the other end - then James Harvey connected with a long deuce to give them the lead.

When Hudson also struck from just inside the arc, Gold Coast had some breathing space at 10-7 and a three-point play from Harvey stretched the gap to eight points.

"Obviously, they're in a desperate situation with their record and the fight for playoff spots," observed Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis. "They came out with a bit of desperation."

"Defensively, we were a step behind, and they got a few catches and looks that made life easier for them than we would have liked."

Clark was also having his own way inside the keyhole and by the end of the opening period, he had nine points and the visitors led 29-24.

Harvey was fouled on a trey and converted all three from the line, Goulding hit from long distance to extend the margin and the Coast finally had a double-digit lead off a breakaway dunk from Goulding.

They were 12 up just before halftime and still led by 10 (56-46) at the break, with Clark and Goulding scoring 14 points each.

"I think Ira is the best true centre in the league," claimed Wright. "Wilkinson is a good big man, but he is probably more of a 'four' in most systems, whereas Ira has the best back-to-the-basket game around."

The Breakers were grimly hanging on through their three-point shooting (6/13) and a favourably lop-sided foul count (14/18 free throws). They could not finish around the hoop (32% 2pt) and turnovers, especially at the offensive end, were providing too many easy baskets to their rivals.

Significantly, Penney, averaging 20 points a game, had attempted just five shots from the field through the first 20 minutes.  

Upon the restart, Clark broke down the NZ defence for three quick dunks. When Goulding found his range from the corner, the margin was 15 and the game was getting away from the hosts.

With 10 minutes remaining, the Breakers were 18 down - and then 21 when Clark found his mark moments into the final period. If there was a comeback in the New Zealand team, it was surely too late.

Or was it? Veteran Bruton hit a long three, Mika Vukona converted a three-point play and the Breakers pressed full-court in a 12-2 run that brought them back within 11.

"It just shows the character of this team," said Wilkinson. "Even though we are the top team, we don't want to lose."

"We're competitive guys and have high character - we want to show that night in and night out."

Penney splashed an off-balance trey, the margin was back to single figures and there was hope. When they locked it up in the dying seconds, it seemed New Zealand might achieve one of the most unbelievable recoveries in the history of the league.

But it was not to be.

"While you'd rather not lose, sometimes a loss can refocus a team," said Wilkinson. "You get a bit more grounded and you go back to basics, the things that have worked for you in the past."

As relieved as he was with victory, Wright lamented another opportunity that nearly slipped through his team's hands.

"This was the same thing that always happens to us in the fourth quarter. We didn't control the tempo and turned the ball over. We have a tendency to take the foot off the pedal."

"But once the scores were tied, we mentally switched - we had to play. We did control possessions after that and got a couple of easy layups as a result."

The Blaze (10-13) are now idle for more than two weeks before hosting the Wollongong Hawks on March 11.

The Breakers' fourth loss of the season took their record to 18-4 and broke a seven-game winning streak. They have a chance to regroup quickly when they visit the Wollongong Hawks on Sunday.

Gold Coast Blaze 94 (Ira Clark 23, Chris Goulding 21, James Harvey 17, Adam Gibson 13) d New Zealand Breakers 91 (Kirk Penney 21, Gary Wilkinson 17, CJ Bruton 17, Mika Vukona 13, Tom Abercrombie 10)