JackJumpers can't capitalise on flying start

The Tasmania JackJumpers shot out to a 17-point lead in their homecoming to MyState Bank Arena but the Perth Wildcats worked on top from there to end up winning 95-84 with a Will Magnay injury compounding matters.

The JackJumpers are now home for five matches in-a-row with two of those to be in Launceston after six of the opening eight matches away from Tasmania, and they started on fire on Wednesday night in the Ignite Cup by Disney+ clash.

The JackJumpers led 19-5 early with that lead growing to 17 points shortly after, but the Wildcats had got back within four by half-time and then put up 35 points in the third quarter to set up their eventual 11-point win.

Tasmania also lost inspiring captain Magnay to a leg injury in the second half. In the end, the Wildcats got on top thanks to 15 offensive rebounds to eight while having just eight turnovers and ending up attempting seven extra shots than the home team.

Bryce Hamilton top-scored for the JackJumpers and was supremely effective and efficient for his 26 points, five rebounds, two assists and two steals on shooting 11/15 from the field and 3/6 from behind the arc.

Josh Bannan continued his tremendous form with another 15 points, eight rebounds and four assists with Nick Marshall keeping his momentum going from the match-winner in Sydney on Sunday with 15 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Tyger Campbell also had 12 points and seven assists while Majok Deng provided 11 points and six rebounds, Magnay three points and four rebounds before his injury, and Ben Ayre two points and an assist.

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr finished with 23 points, six rebounds and three assists for the Wildcats in the win with Elijah Pepper scoring an NBL career-best 19 points on 5/6 three-point shooting with Kristian Doolittle adding 14 points, David Okwera 13, Jaron Rillie 11 and Ben Henshall 10.

Coming off that stunning comeback win in Sydney on Sunday, Tasmania kept the momentum going with a blistering start at MyState Bank Arena in the Ignite Cup by Disney+ match up opening up a 19-5 lead.

The JackJumpers scored 14 straight points to get that advantage including three-pointers to Tyger Campbell and Will Magnay, and when Majok Deng also landed from deep shortly after that advantage was out to 17.

The JackJumpers were still leading 28-16 by quarter-time without a turnover and while shooting 65 per cent from the field with 4/8 from downtown.

The Wildcats turned things around with the first 11 points of the second quarter but the JackJumpers did respond with a 13-7 run after that including an and-one play from Campbell and a three-pointer from Nick Marshall.

Tasmania were still leading 41-37 by half-time on shooting 53 per cent from the field to 37 from Perth but the 'Cats did have nine offensive rebounds to one to their credit.

Marshall and Bryce Hamilton hit three-pointers early in the third quarter to keep the home team in front, but the Wildcats had assumed the 72-68 advantage by three quarter-time on the back of the 35-point period.

Perth then also scored the opening seven points of the final quarter to open up an 11-point lead, but the JackJumpers kept on fighting and were back within two thanks to six straight points with the last four from Hamilton.

It was still just a four-point game when Josh Bannan hit from beyond the three-point arc, but the Wildcats scored the last seven points following that for the 11-point victory.

The JackJumpers now head to Launceston for the first time this season to play host to the Cairns Taipans on Saturday in The Silverdome.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – IGNITE CUP BY DISNEY+

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 84 (Hamilton 26, Bannan 15, Marshall 15)

PERTH WILDCATS 95 (Lual-Acuil Jr 23, Pepper 19, Doolittle 14)

BOX SCORE