Corey Webster has produced another big points haul for the New Zealand Breakers to bounce back from their controversial last-up defeat in the NBL to down Perth 88-80.
Webster led all scorers with 28 points in Auckland on Friday night, landing two three-pointers in the fourth quarter that proved pivotal in holding off a Wildcats fightback.
The Breakers, who had gone into the match on the back of their 87-86 loss at Melbourne United last weekend, took their record to 5-4.
The win consolidated third place and also extended their unbeaten run at home this season to five matches.
Swingman Tom Abercrombie was another influential figure for the defending champions with 20 points and 11 rebounds.
Centre Charles Jackson brought plenty of energy and he also finished with a double-double, collecting 15 points and 10 rebounds, as well as making a couple of steals.
The Breakers were never headed at Vector Arena and looked to be travelling comfortably when up by 15 points late in the third quarter.
But second-placed Perth, with Casey Prather hitting a couple of fourth-quarter treys of his own on the way to a team-high 15 points, closed to within three points.
It was a second match in three days for the Wildcats, after their victory in Wollongong on Wednesday night, and the result left their win-loss at 6-4.
Nathan Jawai (14) and Matthew Knight (11) also made it into double figures for scoring, while Tom Jervis grabbed 10 boards.
Jawai caused plenty of problems for the home defence before getting into foul trouble in the third quarter.
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