Basketball New Zealand

Tony Ronaldson had 16 points and passed Andrew Gaze's all-time games record as the Breakers defeated Townsville (Photosport)

Llendl Ryan, Sportal
Tony Ronaldson has capped off his record-breaking game by leading New Zealand to a 106-97 triumph over the Townsville Crocodiles at the Townsville Entertainment Centre on Saturday night.

Ronaldson scored 16 points in his 613th NBL game, the most in the league’s history.

However it was CJ Bruton (21), Phill Jones (17) and Kirk Penney (16) who were the chief destroyers that snatched the dog fight away from Townsville, led but star Corey Williams (22), John Rillie (19) and Rosell Ellis (18).

It was a see-saw game for most of the night but New Zealand surged ahead in the final term and Townsville couldn’t close the gap.

Ronaldson said it was good win on a personal and team basis.

“It is more about the people who I have surpassed, names like Andrew Gaze who’s been retired for four years now and is still the most recognisable name in the game,” he said.

“I think people are going to start to respect us a lot more which I think has been lacking a bit.”

“In the media this week there is still a few questions over our heads and while we haven’t answered a lot of those we have taken a big step forward.”

Townsville coach Trevor Gleeson said it was a game that got-away from his side

“It was disappointing finish from a see-saw battle all the way through,” he said.

“We didn’t execute down the stretch and they did – quite simple.”

“We had a few good looks at the basket and couldn’t drop.”

Townsville began aggressively and paid the price, giving away seven early fouls whereas New Zealand sat back and shot big racking up 12 points from beyond the arc courtesy of Penney and Jones.

Kelvin Robertson sank a miracle ball from the opposite half of the court on the buzzer but Townsville was left trailing 31-35.

New Zealand kept its nose in front throughout the second despite nine unanswered points from the Crocs until a bustling Williams, who scored 18 for the half, locked the scores at 54-54 just before the main break.

New Zealand threatened to blow the game out in the third racing ahead just short of double figures but several sloppy turnovers, including one to an inspired Rillie, who was fouled just minutes before but received no call, kept the New Zealand lead to 79-77

Townsville went blow for blow with New Zealand to begin the final term until the visitors shifted a gear with Bruton leading the way in the dying stages.

New Zealand Breakers 106 (CJ Bruton 21, Phill Jones 17, Kirk Penney 16) Townsville Crocodiles 97 (Corey Williams 22, John Rillie 19, Rosell Ellis 18)
Breakers vs Crocodiles Box Score (20KB html)