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Kirk Penney congratulated by team-mates - Source: Photosport -
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Kirk Penney enjoyed a dream return to the ANBL on Thursday night as the Breakers cruised to a 94-77 victory over the Cairns Taipans.
Following a nine-game injury layoff, last season's MVP put on an impressive shooting night, capping it off with four three-pointers in the fourth quarter.
He certainly didn't look to be suffering any ill effects from his back injury - going hard to the hoop and taking tough body blows on several occasions.
Penney finished up with 22 points, including four triples.
But Oscar Forman was the star of the night scoring a game-high 23 points, most coming from three-pointers (seven). He also had eight rebounds.
Rich Melzer was the best of the Taipans with 16 points and five rebounds.
The victory was also the celebration of foundation player Paul Henare surpassing 200 career games in the ANBL.
The tone was set early with double century man Henare receiving a stirring welcome to his home court accompanied by a haka.
New Zealand made a hot start to the game but everyone in the house was waiting for just one thing - the return of Penney.
It came with two seconds remaining in the opening quarter as the hosts went into the break just one point in front (18-17).
The Taipans took the lead early in the second period thanks to some sweet perimeter shooting.
But the Breakers were quick to react with John Rillie draining an open three before Penney put on an athletic move in the paint to score his first bucket in seven weeks.
Momentum continued to go New Zealand's way as shots began to drop from all around the arc.
The Breakers held on for a 44-39 advantage at halftime, with 18 of their second quarter points coming in three-pointers.
At the major split no Breaker had eclipsed double figures but the scoring was being shared around with nine players on the scoreboard.
The hosts rocketed out of the locker rooms with a 14-0 run thanks to three clutch triples from Forman and near impenetrable defence.
Midway through the quarter the Breakers had built an 18 point buffer as the Taipans struggled to contain the offensive onslaught.
A Penney free throw guided New Zealand into the fourth quarter leading 68-52.
Cairns battled throughout the final period but simply couldn't close the gap.
The Breakers (7-6) host the Wollongong Hawks next Thursday night.
Breakers 94 : (Forman 23, Penney 22, Rickert
16)
Taipans 77 : (Melzer 16, Jones 14, Crosswhite
12)
Halftime : Breakers 44-39
