JackJumpers can't overcome slow start in NZ

The Tasmania JackJumpers did their best to overcome a slow start but playing catch up proved a challenging task against the in-form New Zealand Breakers in Auckland on Saturday as they went on to win 99-86.

The JackJumpers were playing their first game since the FIBA break on the back of a strong home win against the Sydney Kings, but it was the Breakers who shot out of the blocks with the game's first nine points and to lead 16-5.

That advantage got out to 17 in the second quarter before the JackJumpers did work back into the contest to close to within a point, but again by half-time the Breakers had pushed back out to an 11-point lead.

Even with the JackJumpers getting back within six early in the fourth frame, New Zealand continued to have the answers to end up winning at Spark Arena by 13 points.

Even with shooting 10/37 from three-point territory and 10/16 at the foul line, Tasmania did end up shooting 44 per cent from the field and a lot of the numbers dramatically improved after quarter-time including finishing with 14 offensive rebounds and just nine turnovers.

Bryce Hamilton ended up top-scoring for the JackJumpers with 21 points, eight rebounds and six assists with captain Will Magnay adding 18 points, seven boards, four blocked shots and two assists on 5/8 field goal shooting and going 8/13 at the free-throw stripe.

Josh Bannan had 10 of his 12 points for the game in the third quarter to also collect six rebounds while Majok Deng contributed 11 points with 4/7 field goal shooting and 2/4 from downtown.

David Johnson finished with 10 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals, Nick Marshall seven points, five boards and two assists, Ben Ayre five points and three assists, and Tyger Campbell two points, two rebounds and two assists.

Izaiah Brockington finished with 22 points, four rebounds and four assists for New Zealand with Rob Baker II adding 18 points and nine boards, Parker Jackson-Cartwright 16 points and 12 assists, Sam Mennenga 16 points and nine rebounds, and Karim Lopez 15 points and four boards.

It was the worst possible start for the JackJumpers with the Breakers enjoying their first game at Spark Arena since October 17 to come out and score the game's first nine points.

It wasn't until David Johnson scored attacking the rim almost three minutes into the game that Tasmania got on the board. Then immediately he stole the inbounds pass and hit a three-pointer to steady things for the JackJumpers.

New Zealand, though, again scored the next seven points to be leading 16-5 and then still 28-14 by the end of the first quarter despite a three ball on the buzzer from Nick Marshall.

Tasmania then made a strong start to the second period beginning with a three-point play from Majok Deng before Will Magnay did the same to bring the deficit back to eight.

Magnay completed another and-one shortly after and then midway through the quarter Bryce Hamilton landed a three ball and suddenly it was a one-point ball game with Tasmania having the momentum.

However, the JackJumpers didn’t land another field goal before half-time with the Breakers outscoring them 16-5 going into the break to remain well in control leading 52-41.

New Zealand again scored the first four points of the second half to pus back out to a 15-point lead before the JackJumpers stayed in touch with three-pointers to Johnson and Ben Ayre.

Josh Bannan had just two points to half-time but came out more aggressive and then scored Tasmania's next 10 points before Hamilton also hit the team's last nine points of the third period, but the Breakers were still leading 80-70.

The JackJumpers did keep coming and the first six points of the fourth period to Johnson and Tyger Campbell had them right back in touch, but New Zealand continued to have all the answers to eventually score the 13-point victory.

The JackJumpers now remain on the road to take on the South East Melbourne Phoenix in an Ignite Cup match up in Gippsland on Wednesday night before heading straight up to Cairns to play the Taipans on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 86 (Hamilton 21, Magnay 18, Bannan 12)

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 99 (Brockington 22, Baker II 18, Jackson-Cartwright 16, Mennenga 16)

BOX SCORE