The Breakers have fallen short of a dramatic comeback victory in the ANBL, going down 92-85 to the South East Melbourne Phoenix in Melbourne.
A fantastic display from American import Colton Iverson ultimately went down in vain, as the 31-year-old had a double-double with a game-high 26 points, along with 22 rebounds.
Tai Webster (16 points), Finn Delany (15) and the returning Corey Webster (11) also chipped in with notable scoring contributions.
Entering the match with just one win in their last five games, the Breakers got off to a fast start thanks to Webster, only for the Phoenix to take a huge 29-17 lead from the first quarter.
Despite conceding a 12-point lead from the first quarter, the Breakers rallied in the second, winning it 23-17, but still trailed 46-40 at halftime.
Down at the break, the Kiwi side came out firing in the third quarter, again winning it 29-21, and took a 69-67 lead into the fourth.
It wasn't to be though, as the Phoenix scored 25 points and restricted the Breakers to just 16, running away in the dying moments for their 12th win of the season.
Australian Mitch Creek led the scoring for the Phoenix with 24 points, while Kiwi Yanni Wetzell was the standout with a double-double of his own, netting 18 points and 10 rebounds.
The loss leaves the Breakers in eighth place on the ANBL ladder with five wins from 17 games played, ahead of the last-placed Cairns Taipans on points differential, and nine wins off the top placed Perth Wildcats, albeit with a game in hand.
The Phoenix meanwhile are in third place, behind Melbourne United and Perth - both with 14 wins.
