The New Zealand Breakers have ended their two-match losing streak, holding on for a 66-65 win over the Townsville Crocodiles on the North Shore.
The top-of-the-table clash had the home team open up an 18-point lead in the second quarter, but the second-placed Crocs fought back and had a couple of chances to snatch victory in the final seconds.
In his 100th game for the club, guard Kirk Penney led all scorers with 20 points.
The Breakers improve to 19 and five and have a four and a half game lead over the Crocs with four games remaining, however Townsville can still deny them the regular season premiership if they win their last five and the Breakers lose their last four.
Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis says their previous defensive issues had come from a lack of effort, however it was a lot better on the night.
66 is the fewest points the Breakers have ever scored and still won. They shot 41 percent from the field and limited Townsville to 34 percent.
The two sides meet again in the next round in Townsville next weekend.
