JackJumpers enjoy Christmas after big home win

The Tasmania JackJumpers took full advantage of the Illawarra Hawks being without two key stars to regain some form and confidence at home to score the pre-Christmas 87-60 win on Thursday night.

The JackJumpers had not won at MyState Bank Arena since hammering the Perth Wildcats by 31 points back on October 22. After also losing twice with disappointing finishes last week against Cairns and Adelaide, motivation wasn’t lacking.

To their credit, Illawarra battled hard including going on a 13-0 first quarter run without Tyler Harvey and Michael Frazier. Even though Tasmania turned it around with a 21-1 run of their own in the second period, the Hawks kept fighting and seven straight points in the third term had them back within six.

However, they couldn’t keep it going and the rest of the way the JackJumpers dominated. Tasmania went on a 16-0 run to blow the game wide open.

From the moment the margin was back to six, the home team scored 39 points to 18 and ended up winning by 27 to the delight of the Hobart locals.

It was an even team performance too from Tasmania which would have pleased coach Scott Roth with Jack McVeigh top-scoring with 15 points and three rebounds.

He had plenty of help with Rashard Kelly finishing with 14 points and five rebounds, Milton Doyle 14 points, eight boards, four assists and two steals, and Josh Magette 12 points, six rebounds, five steals, and four assists.

It didn’t end there with Isaac White contributing 11 points and six rebounds, and Will Magnay eight points, four boards and two blocks.

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth couldn’t have been happier with a big win going into Christmas.

"We got off to a good start but they were up and about, and made some shots," Roth said. 

"We changed our defence slightly and got them after them a little bit more, and there's a wear down factor of them not having enough personnel to keep going against us throwing guys out there. 

"Eventually the tide turned and we started making some plays, and our offence started clicking. It's a great credit to our guys, I don’t want to take anything away from a win in this league. 

"I don’t care where it is, home or away, but we're here to defend the island and fight for Tasmanians. It's always great to get a win but right before Christmas it's even better."

Desperate for a strong start in the hunt of that elusive home win, Will Magnay set the tone early for the JackJumpers. He scored the game's first three baskets, blocked Sam Froling up the other end and put Tasmania up 6-0.

That soon became 10-2 but the Hawks had come to fight despite their missing soldiers. They went on a stunning 13-0 run to turn the game on its head going from five points down to leading by eight when Froling completed a three-point play.

Illawarra was still in control 21-15 by quarter-time but it was the JackJumpers' time to turn the tide to start the second quarter. 

After the Hawks led 24-17 following an and-one from Davo Hickey, it was all Tasmania with the home team setting their raucous fans alight with a 21-1 run to break the game wide open.

That started with a three-pointer from Isaac White against his former team before Jack McVeigh scored the next eight points, White another three-point play and then when Milton Doyle hit another three and nailed a mid-ranger jumper, the JackJumpers were up 28-25 after scoring 21-1.

At least for the Hawks, Froling hit a triple going into half-time but Tasmania still led 44-35.

After Tasmania scored the first four points of the second half, Illawarra again showed good fight with the next seven points including another huge dunk from Deng Deng, this time over McVeigh who he let know all about it.

That 7-0 run brought the Hawks back within six, but they would get no closer with the JackJumpers pulling away once more and this time would be a game-breaking move.

Fabijan Krslovic started a 16-0 run by hitting from beyond the arc before Rashard Kelly and White did the same with Doyle also converting a three-point play with the JackJumpers opening up a 22-point advantage.

That lead was out to 23 by three quarter-time and the JackJumpers with their home fans had some fun through the fourth quarter before settling with the 27-point win.

It was the last game for both teams before Christmas with the JackJumpers back in action on Boxing Day hosting the New Zealand Breakers. 

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 12

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 87 (McVeigh 15, Doyle 14, Kelly 14)

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 60 (Froling 19, Mathiang 10, Deng 7)

BOX SCORE