The New Zealand Breakers have gone down to the Melbourne Tigers 103-97 in game two of the Australian National Basketball League semi-finals series at a sold out North Shore Events Centre, ending the Breakers title hopes.
They jumped out to an early lead but the Tiger stars Ebi Ere ( e-rah) with 26 and Chris Anstey with16 took charge after half-time
CJ Bruton (22), Phill Jones (21) and Kirk Penney (19) were the standouts in a gutsy effort that fell away in the final quarter.
The Tigers had closed a 16 point gap early in the third quarter to just two with a three pointer right on the buzzer.
They took the lead for the first time a minute into the final quarter and seldom looked like losing it after that.
The Breakers season is now over while the Tigers head home for the best of three finals series against the winner of tomorrow night's series decider between South Dragons and Townsville Crocodiles in Melbourne.