Vukona fires as Breakers get back-to-back wins

BEN STANLEY AT NORTH SHORE EVENTS CENTRE

 The New Zealand Breakers recorded consecutive victories for the first time this season, with forward Mika Vukona leading his side to an impressive 84-74 win over the Melbourne Tigers in Auckland tonight. In an open and entertaining encounter, Vukona recorded a rare first half double-double, and was at the heart of anything good the Breakers did on attack or defence when on the court.

Vukona eventually ended with 14 points and 17 rebounds - 12 of which came in the first half - while also nabbing 8 key assists.

The 17 rebounds are the equal highest in Vukona's Australian NBL career, and a key part in helping his side, whose record is now 4-6, head to fifth on the ladder.

Overall, it was another improved display from Dean Vickerman's defending champions, who struggled with tighter fouling rules early in the season but seem to have finally found their stride.

Veteran CJ Bruton was hard-working throughout, while Reuben Te Rangi showed why his stock continues to grow at the Breakers with another mature effort under both baskets.

The Breakers ability to contain dangerous shooting guard Chris Goulding would be key if the hosts wanted to record the victory, and while the Australian managed 23 points, Vickerman will be happy with his side's job keeping him out of the game.

Despite the loss, Melbourne looked a slick unit - organised on defence and showing plenty of endeavour on attack.

Along with Goulding, Scott Morrison was in fine form for the visitors, notching his own double-double with 21 points and 14 rebounds.

Yet with Vukona in the mood he was in, it was going to be tough for the Tigers to claim a rare away victory over the Breakers.

The last time the two sides met in Auckland, the Breakers dished out a 30-point trashing, with Tom Abercrombie and Corey Webster the main destroyers for the hosts late last season.

But from the get-go, there was no chance of a repeat of that sort of blow-out.

Vukona set the tone for the match with a rebound in opening seconds, though it was poor passing that was the biggest feature of the Breakers opening salvos in the match.

Breakers point guard Kerron Johnson, who came into the match under an injury cloud due to an shoulder knock he took last week, looked out of sorts with his passing game early.

While the Breakers looked effective from long range, it was the Tigers making most of the play early - with Goulding and Mark Worthington proving the hardest to handle for the hosts.

The second quarter started tight, but soon it was Vukona providing the difference; be it from the free throw line or claiming defensive rebounds.

The Breakers were able to engineer an 8-point swing, and were able to keep up the moment into the third stanza.

Johnson started to get into his work more, and while his shooting radar was off from the field and free-throw line, the American import looked more energetic around the court.

Centre Gary Wilkinson nailed an impressive three-pointer in another relatively quiet night for the American import.

Goulding continued to dominant with the ball in hand, but it would be Te Rangi who would make the final statement of the quarter: a classy three-pointer on the buzzer.

The Breakers were able to pull away in the final quarter with Webster looking dangerous and Johnson regaining more on-court confidence.

New Zealand Breakers (Mika Vukona 14, Tom Abercrombie 14, Kerron Johnson 13) 84 Melbourne Tigers (Chris Goulding 23, Scott Morrison 21, Mark Worthington 11) 74 1Q: 21-26 HT: 41-38 3Q: 60-58

- © Fairfax NZ News