Taipans fall short despite McVeigh explosion

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New Zealand Breakers defeated Cairns Taipans 102-96 at Cairns Convention Centre in front of 3,989 fans.

Breakers forward Sam Mennenga's 22 points led a balanced offensive display that overcame Taipans Jack McVeigh's explosive 35-point performance.

Key Details

• Result: New Zealand Breakers 102 def. Cairns Taipans 96
• When: Friday, 22nd November 2025
• Where: Cairns Convention Centre, Cairns
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand Breakers) starred with 22 points, eight rebounds and two assists in 30 minutes.
• Jack McVeigh (Cairns Taipans) detonated for 35 points, seven rebounds and four assists in 40 minutes.

What Happened

The Breakers established early control, leading 25-17 after the first quarter behind efficient shooting. Their balanced attack saw five players reach double figures, with Sam Mennenga, Izaiah Brockington and Parker Jackson-Cartwright all contributing significantly to the scoring load. The visitors maintained their advantage through the second period, taking a 47-44 lead into the main break despite Jack McVeigh's outstanding first-half display for the home side.

The third quarter proved pivotal as New Zealand extended their advantage to 77-66, outscoring Cairns 30-22 in the period. Brockington was instrumental during this stretch, showcasing his ability from the charity stripe while cleaning the glass effectively. The Breakers' superior ball movement created numerous scoring opportunities, as they recorded 21 assists compared to Cairns' 21, highlighting their unselfish play throughout the contest.

McVeigh kept the Taipans competitive with a masterful shooting performance, connecting on 12-from-21 from the field, including an impressive 5-from-12 from beyond the arc. His 35-point outburst was one of the standout individual performances of the NBL season, but lacked sufficient support from his teammates. Andrew Andrews provided solid backup with 23 points and nine assists, but the Taipans struggled to match New Zealand's depth.

The Breakers' superior shooting efficiency proved decisive, as they shot 53.85% from the field compared to Cairns' 48.48%. New Zealand's dominance on the boards was equally crucial, out-rebounding the home side 42-28, with Brockington leading the way with 11 boards. The visitors also capitalised from the foul line, converting 25-from-34 free throws at 73.53%, while their defense forced 11 turnovers to limit Cairns' scoring opportunities.

Despite the loss, the Taipans showed resilience in the final quarter, outscoring the Breakers 30-25 to make the contest competitive until the final buzzer. However, New Zealand's early advantage and consistent scoring throughout all four quarters proved too much to overcome. The victory showcased the Breakers' depth and balanced attack, with their ability to share the scoring load making them a formidable opponent in the NBL.