An 11-0 run in the fourth quarter has propelled the NZ Breakers to an 81-79 victory in their home opener.
The Breakers trailed the South East Melbourne Phoenix by three with seven minutes remaining, before Sam Mennenga, Mitch McCarron, Parker Jackson-Cartwright and Jonah Bolden combined to take an eight-point lead with 3:11 to play.
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The Phoenix got back within a point with 5.7 seconds to go after a three-pointer from Matt Hurt, but the Breakers just held on to improve to 2-0 under new coach Petteri Koponen.
Point guard Parker Jackson-Cartwright again led the Breakers, with 19 points (7/15 FG, 5/6 FT), seven assists and four steals, while fellow American Matt Mooney had 15 points (5/12 FG, 3/7 3pt) and three assists.
Sam Mennenga was the only other Breakers in double-digits, with 11 points (5/11 FG) and nine rebounds, while Jonah Bolden had eight points and eight boards.
Import centre Freddie Gillespie made his ANBL debut with five points, four rebounds and two blocks as a glimpse into what he can provide.
Koponen lauded the performance at both ends of Jackson-Cartwright, who was also outstanding defensively in holding former ANBL Finals MVP Derrick Walton Jr to just two points.
"He's the superstar of this league, he's one of the best players and he's our leader," coach Koponen said.
"It wasn't always pretty today, but sometimes basketball is like this. We found a way. We didn't start the game good, but overall I'm really proud."
Nathan Sobey delivered his best performance, with 24 points, four boards and four assists, while Hurts added 20 points.
Sobey put up 10 points in the space of two minutes across half-time, landing a floater from a tough angle, then forcing a timeout just before the break when he drove through the basket on a three-point play.
But when he missed a bunny on transition in the final minute, the Phoenix had given themselves a mountain to climb, down seven points with the seconds ticking away.
Walton Jr and Sobey both fouled out in the final minute as the Phoenix needed a steady hand to pull the Breakers back in.
On top of the strong performances from Sobey and Hurt for the Phoenix, Jordan Hunter provided another 12 points and 12 rebounds with Joe Wieskamp adding 10 points, 12 boards and two blocks.
The Breakers are now off to the United States for their NBLxNBA tour with games against the Utah Jazz, Philadelphia 76ers and Oklahoma City Thunder, starting on Friday (Saturday NZ Time).
NZ Breakers 81 (Parker Jackson-Cartwright 19, Matt Mooney 15, Sam Mennenga 11) South East Melbourne Phoenix 79 (Nathan Sobey 24, Matt Hurt 20, Jordan Hunter 12, Joe Wieskamp 10). 1Q: 11-21, HT: 33-36, 3Q: 60-59
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