New Zealand 101 - 108 Adelaide

The Adelaide 36ers secured a 108-101 road victory over the New Zealand Breakers behind a 34-point fourth quarter. Adelaide established a 56-44 halftime advantage before New Zealand mounted a third-quarter response, outscoring the visitors 28-18 to tie the contest early in the final frame. With the score locked at 88-88 midway through the fourth, Adelaide created separation with timely perimeter shooting and late-game poise at the free-throw line, where they finished with an 11-point advantage over the Breakers.

Bryce Cotton paced Adelaide with 31 points and six assists, shooting 10-of-18 from the field, 4-of-10 from three-point range, and a perfect 7-of-7 from the line. Cotton, who entered the contest averaging 27.4 points per game, sank consecutive three-pointers with under four minutes remaining to give the 36ers a lead they would not relinquish. John Jenkins added 21 points off the bench, including four three-pointers, while Nick Rakocevic contributed a double-double of 17 points, 11 rebounds, and five assists. Zylan Cheatham matched Rakocevic with 17 points to go along with seven boards. For New Zealand, Sam Mennenga led the scoring with 28 points on 11-of-20 shooting, including 6-of-9 from beyond the arc, alongside five rebounds and three assists.

Adelaide's scoring efficiency proved decisive, as the 36ers shot 56.1% (37-of-66) from the field and 44.4% (12-of-27) from long range, compared to New Zealand's 52.6% (40-of-76) overall and 34.5% (10-of-29) from deep. Adelaide also converted 22-of-25 (88.0%) free throws to New Zealand's 11-of-14 (78.6%). Although the Breakers protected the ball better with 26 assists to just eight turnovers against Adelaide's 20 assists and 11 turnovers, the 36ers held a 35-30 advantage on the boards and generated more efficient looks during crucial possessions down the stretch.

Key Stats

• Bryce Cotton (Adelaide): 31 PTS, 1 REB, 6 AST | 10/18 FG (55.6%), 4/10 3PT, 7/7 FT | 26 EFF, 73.5% TS
• Sam Mennenga (New Zealand): 28 PTS, 5 REB, 3 AST | 11/20 FG (55.0%), 6/9 3PT | 28 EFF, 70.0% TS
• Nick Rakocevic (Adelaide): 17 PTS, 11 REB, 5 AST | 8/15 FG (53.3%), 1 BLK | 27 EFF
• John Jenkins (Adelaide): 21 PTS, 2 REB, 2 AST | 6/13 FG (46.2%), 4/10 3PT, 5/5 FT | 17 EFF
• Free throw disparity: Adelaide made 22 of 25 (88.0%) free throws vs New Zealand's 11 of 14 (78.6%), an 11-point margin at the stripe