Import Kavossy Franklin was the star for the Dragons scoring 30 points, while playing-coach Shane Heal poured in 22 of his own, including three of his trademark long-range bombs.

Carlos Powell was everywhere for the Breakers scoring 34 points, and fellow import Brian Wethers tried hard with 23, but the Dragons moved into the top eight at the Breakers' expense.

Dragons coach Shane Heal was ecstatic with the win, especially given that it moved his team back into the eight.

"We had to win, it was a huge result," Heal said.

"I was happy with all of the guys in particular (Frank) Drmic and (Brent) Hobba. Frank did a fantastic job on Pepper."

While disappointed with the result, Breakers coach Andrej Lemanis was not too displeased with how his side fought during the match.

"They played well, we played well, I am not too disappointed with how we played tonight," Lemanis said.

The Dragons jumped out of the blocks, racing to a 17-8 lead early with Franklin on fire with 12 points in the first period. Powell kept the Breakers in the game with 13 of his own, but the Dragons led 32-25 at the first change.

The Breakers leveled the scores at 52-52 with just two minutes to go in the second period but the Dragons finished the half with a 7-2 run to take a 59-54 lead at the main change.

Franklin added a further eight points during the second quarter, while Powell was producing a one man show for the Breakers, going into half-time with 22 points.

Despite Heal picking up a technical foul in the third term for disputing a call, the Dragons went into the last change with a comfortable 85-77 lead.

Back-up centre Brent Hobba came off the bench to provide the Dragons with seven points during the third quarter, while Powell added a further eight points for the Breakers.

Oscar Forman nailed two of his four three-pointers early in the last quarter to bring the Breakers closer, but Powell fouled out for the Breakers with six minutes remaining in the match, handing the advantage to the Dragons.

Although Wethers played a lone hand late in the last quarter, scoring 10 quick points, Franklin iced the game for the Dragons with two late three-pointers.

The Dragons will renew their rivalry against the Brisbane Bullets on Wednesday at Vodafone Arena, while the Breakers have little time to recover, facing the top-of-the-table Melbourne Tigers at the State Netball and Hockey Centre on Sunday night.

South Dragons 117 (Franklin 30, Heal 22, Ingles 16)
New Zealand Breakers 109 (Powell 34, Wethers 23, Forman 14, Pepper 14)
Crowd: 4,201 @ Vodafone Arena, 16/12/2006