Samuel Mennenga's 36 points not enough as Tasmania beat NZ Breakers 98-92

Samuel Mennenga's 36 points could not stop Tasmania

Samuel Mennenga scored 36 points for the NZ Breakers in Tasmania, but the JackJumpers won 98-92. He added 11 rebounds and 3 assists in 35 minutes.

That total sits well above his 2026/2027 average of 23.3 points per game. Mennenga carries a TeamKeys Rating of 91.4, which ranks him 10th of 62 rated players in the league.

His PIR of 37 was the highest of anyone on the floor. Tasmania still found more answers, led by Taran Armstrong with 32 points.

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How did Mennenga build his 36 points against Tasmania?

Mennenga built his night on efficient shooting: 12/15 inside the arc and 3/4 from three. He added 3/5 at the free-throw line.

His 11 rebounds also beat his season average of 9.1, while his 3 assists matched his average exactly. When he shot, the Breakers rarely came away empty.

The one blemish was 6 turnovers, the most among the leading players in the game. In a contest settled by 6 points, those lost possessions carried weight.

Why did Tasmania beat the NZ Breakers 98-92?

Tasmania won because Taran Armstrong matched Mennenga's threat and the home side had more scorers around him. Armstrong scored 32, going 12/14 from the line with 3 steals and only 1 turnover.

David Johnson added 20 points off the bench, including 4/11 from three. Dakota Mathias scored 17 on 5/9 from deep, above his average of 13.6, while Will Magnay, first in the league by TeamKeys Rating, chipped in 11 points, 8 rebounds and 6 assists.

The Breakers took the first quarter 32-31, then Tasmania won the next three 22-19, 17-14 and 28-27. Carlin Davison's 17 points and 11 assists, plus 18 from Mojave King, kept the visitors close without turning the game.

NBL table and next games for Tasmania and the NZ Breakers

Tasmania stay top of the Australian NBL at 6-2, while the NZ Breakers sit fourth at 4-4. Sydney and Perth are second and third, both on 4-2.

The Breakers, whose form reads W, W, L, W, L, face the Cairns Taipans on 25 October. Tasmania, on W, W, L, W, W, meet second-placed Sydney Kings on 30 October in a meeting of the top two.