The New Zealand Breakers consolidated second spot on the NBL ladder with a come from behind 93-81 win over a fading Cairns tonight.
Powered by 22 points from Kirk Penney and 19 from Oscar Forman - who hit five of seven three-pointers - the Breakers turned around a seven point halftime deficit to run out comfortable winners.
They join South Dragons as the only sides to have ten or more wins this season, the Taipans heading the other way after suffering their second straight loss to drop to a 6-7 record.
Best for the home side was Gary Boodnikoff with 19 points while Martin Cattalini chipped in with 13.
A Penney three-pointer on the buzzer saw the two sides go into the last term tied on 67 points apiece, and it was still locked up at 74-all with just over six minutes remaining.
But it was all the visitors from then on in, another Penney three followed by a Tony Ronaldson long bomb seeing the Breakers close out the game with a 19-7 run.
The Breakers conclude their sunshine swing when they travel to take on slumping Townsville on Saturday night, while the Taipans will also hit the road with a trip to Perth this weekend.
