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The Breakers Kirk Penney - Source: Photosport -
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The Breakers have slumped to a consecutive loss at home, edged 106-100 by the Perth Wildcats at the North Shore Events Centre on Thursday night.
Leading by as many as 17 points in the third quarter, the Wildcats powered home against a tiring New Zealand defence.
Martin Cattalini was the catalyst, scoring 17 points in the fourth quarter after just one through the first three periods.
Kirk Penney was outstanding in a losing effort for the Breakers, scoring 29 points, including five three-pointers and six assists.
CJ Bruton chipped in with 19 points while Thomas Abercrombie had 10 points and eight rebounds.
The loss drops New Zealand's win-loss record below 50 percent with seven wins and eight losses.
As billed, the opening quarter began in a physical manner with players from both sides taking heavy contact in the paint.
CJ Bruton and Kirk Penney both hit early three-pointers for the Breakers but the fast-paced play of the Wildcats helped them take the lead midway through the period.
As the contact continued, so did the foul count, with both sides wisely deciding to calm things down a little.
John Rillie then drained a three right on the buzzer to guide the Breakers into quarter time up 27-23.
The Breakers continued to put points up in the second quarter but some defensive lapses allowed Perth to tie the game up midway through.
However, the hosts were quick to respond courtesy of a superb fade-away triple at the hands of Bruton.
And momentum stayed with New Zealand as the hosts powered to an eight point halftime advantage (53-45).
Penney proved his hot hand in the first half with a game high 15 points including three from beyond the arc.
The Breakers swiftly turned an eight point lead into 15 in the first two minutes of the third period, prompting the flustered Cats to call timeout.
Perth battled back but couldn't stop New Zealand going into the fourth quarter with a 78-68 buffer.
But the Wildcats weren't done, going on a 7-0 run to tear the deficit to shreds.
An entertaining battle of shooting at both ends saw the scores stay perilously close - the Breakers leading by just three points with five minutes remaining.
A Shawn Redhage jumper then put Perth in front for the first time with just under three minutes on the clock.
Cattalini drained a three with one minute remaining to put the visitors up by four, a lead the Breakers could not overcome.
The Breakers (7-8) travel to Adelaide to play the 36ers on Saturday.
Wildcats 106: (Cattalini 18, Lisch 17, Wagstaff
15)
Breakers 100: (Penney 29, Bruton 19, Rickert
14)
Halftime: Breakers 53-45
