The New Zealand Breakers moved to equal first on the NBL ladder after a 90-79 win over the Melbourne Tigers last night.
A brilliant 19-3 run in the third quarter saw the Breakers turn a nine-point deficit into a seven-point lead at the last break, and they maintained the momentum to win for the eleventh time from 16.
The Tigers were in control until midway through the third period when Thomas Abercrombie turned the game in New Zealand's favour.
Abercrombie exploded for 14 points in the period after having just one in the first half.
New Zealand continued to pour it on in the final quarter, leading by as many as 23 points before coasting to the 11-point win.
The Breakers closed the game out by out-scoring Melbourne 45-25 after the Tigers had led 54-45.
New Zealand had six players register double figures, with Abercrombie leading the way with 18, while former Tigers star Darryl Corletto added 15.
Cameron Tragardh continued his fine season for Melbourne with 22 points and Ayinde Ubaka chipped in with 17.
The Breakers dominated the paint, out-scoring the Tigers 42-24 inside while out-rebounding them 38-22.
Jackson found the open man at will, dishing out 11 assists as the Tigers were powerless to slow the Breakers once they seized the momentum.
Jackson also added nine rebounds to finish just one board short of a triple-double in one of the best all-around performances of the season.
New Zealand coach Andrej Lemanis praised his clubs intensity in turning the game around in the second half.
"We played with decent intensity in the first half, but had too many turnovers," Lemanis said.
"We had everyone contribute and I thought our effort in the second half was outstanding.
"We helped each other out and we kept them to five points in the last five minutes of the third and four (points) in the first five minutes of the fourth quarter."
Tigers coach Trevor Gleeson lamented a weekend in which his team lost to Perth on Friday and New Zealand on Sunday.
"It shows that we aren't where we want to be", Gleeson said.
"Now we are going to be in a dog fight just to get into the playoffs."
Gleeson felt his team did not answer the challenge when New Zealand lifted in the third quarter.
"Our defence was horrendous," he said.
"We were in a good position but when they challenged us we didn't step up to it.
"That is why they are a championship team and we aren't yet."
Melbourne's loss sees them drop out of the top four, with Townsville and Cairns moving ahead on the ladder.
