The Tasmania JackJumpers continued their midseason resurgence in the National Basketball League (NBL) with a hard-fought 77-73 victory over the Adelaide 36ers in Round 10 action on Saturday night. In front of a sellout crowd of 9,428 at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre, the JackJumpers weathered a furious late rally from the home team to secure their third consecutive win and solidify their position in the league standings.
JackJumpers Build Early Lead
The JackJumpers came out of the gates strong, racing to a 12-4 lead in the early stages of the first quarter. Will Magnay and Sean Macdonald led the charge for the visitors, showcasing their offensive prowess and setting the tone for what would be a closely contested battle throughout the night.
Adelaide, playing without suspended stars Kendric Davis and Montrezl Harrell, refused to go down without a fight. The 36ers’ bench unit, featuring unsung heroes Keanu Rasmussen, Nick Marshall, and Ben Griscti, helped the home team claw their way back into the game, trimming the deficit to just one point by halftime.
Defensive Struggle in the Third Quarter
The third quarter saw both teams struggle to find their offensive rhythm, with the JackJumpers and 36ers trading baskets in a low-scoring affair. Tasmania’s Milton Doyle, who had been quiet in the first half, came alive with a pair of clutch three-pointers to help the reigning champions maintain a slim 60-53 lead heading into the final period.
We knew it was going to be a tough game, especially without Jordon [Crawford], but the guys really stepped up and showed a lot of heart tonight.
– JackJumpers head coach, according to a close source
36ers Mount Late Comeback
With their backs against the wall, the 36ers refused to go down quietly. Led by the inspirational play of Isaac Humphries, who finished with 19 points and 11 rebounds, Adelaide staged a remarkable 14-2 run to cut the deficit to just one point with under a minute remaining.
However, the JackJumpers’ resolute defense and clutch free-throw shooting ultimately proved too much for the home team to overcome. Macdonald’s floater with 10 seconds left sealed the victory for Tasmania, snapping the 36ers’ impressive 10-game home winning streak in the process.
Key Contributors for Tasmania
- Will Magnay: 15 points, strong presence on both ends of the court
- Sean Macdonald: 15 points, including the game-sealing floater
- Milton Doyle: Crucial three-pointers in the second half
The win marks an important milestone for the JackJumpers, who have now won three straight games and appear to be hitting their stride at the perfect time. With the playoffs looming on the horizon, Tasmania will look to build on this momentum and make a deep postseason run as they defend their NBL title.
For the 36ers, the loss is a bitter pill to swallow, especially considering the absence of their two leading scorers. Nevertheless, the team’s gutsy performance and never-say-die attitude will undoubtedly serve as a source of inspiration as they look to bounce back in the coming weeks.
As the NBL season enters its crucial final stages, one thing is certain: the Tasmania JackJumpers have served notice that they are a force to be reckoned with, and any team hoping to dethrone the reigning champions will need to bring their A-game. With a potent mix of veteran leadership and young talent, the JackJumpers appear poised to make some serious noise in the playoffs and beyond.
