Historic, memorable JackJumpers win in Perth

The Tasmania JackJumpers have had some brilliant wins in their inaugural NBL season but the best could have come on Thursday night with a stunning 85-83 win against the Perth Wildcats out west.

Last time the JackJumpers played at RAC Arena there was the biggest ever crowd in the stadium watching on so they were used to being part of history already in the building. 

It was just that this time on Thursday night to open Round 17 of the NBL the JackJumpers were making their own history with the first win ever against the Wildcats in their third attempt.

The win came against a Perth team sitting second in the NBL standings as well and looking to make the most of what was their second of nine consecutive home matches to end the regular season.

Right from the outset, the JackJumpers had come to put in a spirited performance determined to make up for the club's biggest ever loss last Saturday in Launceston against the Illawarra Hawks.

Little separated the two teams virtually the whole game but the JackJumpers at one point did hold a game-high 12-point advantage, but still it took some late heroics from Josh Adams and Josh Magette to seal the win.

Scores were tied at 80-80 with the shot clock turned off when Adams stepped up to knock down his biggest three-pointer of the season. Then up the other end with Perth's Todd Blanchfield driving to the rack, Magette picked his pocket for the steal and ultimately that secured the stunning JackJumpers win.

There were plenty of big time performance in the win for the JackJumpers and none more so than Jack McVeigh who finished with 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists while knocking down 3/6 from three-point territory.

Captain Clint Steindl was back on his old home floor and produced 15 points, three rebounds and two assists for Tasmania with Josh Adams contributing 14 points, five boards and five assists on the back of nailing 3/5 from downtown.

Fabijan Krslovic battled manfully again for 11 points, six rebounds, two steals and two blocks with Josh Magette adding 11 points, six boards, five assists and two steals.

Matt Kenyon added four points and five rebounds, MiKyle McIntosh four points and two boards, Sam McDaniel four points, and Jock Perry three points, four rebounds and four assists.

Tasmania coach Scott Roth was soaking up the enormity of what his side had achieved post-game.

"These guys never cease to amaze me. The continue to buy into everything we are doing, building a team culture, laying a great foundation with a lot of grit and determination," he said.

"They battle and they for fight for each other, it's fun to be part of. To win in this building is not easy, we are humbled but still hungry. We have seven more games, let's see what we can do."

It was satisfying for Steindl to get the win, but he said it would mean nothing if his side lost to Brisbane in their clash this weekend.

"It is a heck of an achievement and another in the W column. We've just got to carry on with this and go to Brisbane with the same mindset," Steindl said.

"We don't want to stuff that one up, it will take away all the momentum from winning here in Perth. We have got to quickly turn the page and get ready for Saturday night."

Roth joked that Weeks looked like 'Frankenstein' but said he was not concerned about concussion.

"He's not real smart anyway, a hit to the head is something that will help in the long run," he laughed.

"It is just stitches right now ... we will see what the doctor says."

Bryce Cotton top-scored for Perth with 23 points while Blanchfield had 19 points and Vic Law 16 to go with 10 rebounds.

The JackJumpers don't have much time to celebrate as they head to Brisbane to take on a Bullets team now on Saturday who are fresh off their own remarkable overtime win in Cairns on Thursday against the New Zealand Breakers.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 17

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 85 (McVeigh 19, Steindl 15, Adams 14) 

PERTH WILDCATS 83 (Cotton 23, Blanchfield 19, Law 16)

BOX SCORE