Beast mode Mennenga puts brakes on Cairns

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Beast mode Sam Mennenga took full advantage of injured Sam Waardenburg's absence, dropping 28 points in 27 minutes to power the New Zealander Breakers to a commanding 104-86 win against the Cairns Taipans at HoopsFest in Round 17 of NBL26 on Saturday, January 17, 2026 in Perth.

The Taipans had no answer for Mennenga, who went 13-from-22 from the field. Waardenburg is out until at least round 22 with an ankle injury for the beleaguered Taipans.

The Breakers kept their slim finals hopes alive at 10-15, closing the gap on sixth-placed Tasmania (12-14) after the JackJumpers lost to United 79-77.

Cairns had to play more than two quarters without head coach Adam Forde who was ejected after receiving his second technical foul with 5 minutes left in the second quarter.

Key Details

• Round: 17
• Result: New Zealand Breakers 104 def. Cairns Taipans 86
• When: Saturday, 17th January 2026
• Where: RAC Arena, Perth
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand Breakers) starred with 28 points, five rebounds and one assist in 27 minutes.
• Mojave King (Cairns Taipans) scored 19 points, five rebounds and four assists in 30 minutes.

What Happened

The Breakers established early control, taking a five-point advantage after the opening quarter before the Taipans responded with their strongest period of the game. Cairns outscored New Zealand 30-29 in the second quarter to cut the halftime deficit to just three points at 55-52. However, the visitors regained their composure after the main break, pulling away with a dominant 25-17 third quarter that extended their lead to 11 points heading into the final period.

Sam Mennenga was exceptional throughout, shooting an outstanding 13-from-22 from the field to lead all scorers with 28 points. The big man's efficiency was crucial in the Breakers' offensive success, as he dominated in the paint and provided a reliable scoring option when the team needed buckets. Parker Jackson-Cartwright orchestrated the offense brilliantly with 10 assists, while Izaiah Brockington added 24 points on efficient 9-from-14 shooting, including perfect 2-from-2 from downtown.

For Cairns, Mojave King provided the most resistance with 19 points on stellar 7-from-11 shooting, including an impressive 5-from-7 from deep. Admiral Schofield came off the bench to contribute 19 points on 7-from-9 shooting, but the Taipans struggled to find consistent scoring options beyond these two performers. Captain Jack McVeigh managed 13 points and eight rebounds but shot a disappointing 4-from-13 from the field.

The Breakers' superior ball control proved decisive, as they committed just four turnovers compared to Cairns' 16. This 12-turnover differential allowed New Zealand to generate numerous extra possessions and easy scoring opportunities in transition. The visitors also dominated the glass, out-rebounding the Taipans 40-34, with Karim Lopez securing 11 boards to complement his 16 points. Defensively, the Breakers forced Cairns into difficult shots, holding them to 48.44% shooting from the field despite the home team's solid 48.48% from three-point range.

The victory showcased New Zealand's balanced attack, with four players scoring in double figures in what was a complete team effort.