JackJumpers fall short in HoopsFest heart stopper

It was every bit a trademark battle that the Tasmania JackJumpers have had with Melbourne United since entering the NBL and on this occasion as part of HoopsFest in Perth, it was United prevailing 79-77.

It was the third meeting between the two teams in just over three weeks with the JackJumpers having won by 19 points just before Christmas in Melbourne and backing it up winning by nine at MyState Bank Arena on January 3.

The two teams resumed hostilities once more at RAC Arena in Perth on Saturday night for the second straight season as part of HoopsFest and precious little separated them all evening.

No more than nine points ever separated the two teams which came during the second quarter before Tasmania closed the first half going on a 13-5 scoring run.

It remained tight throughout the second half even with United up nine once more with four minutes to play, but again the JackJumpers answered with triples from Bryce Hamilton and Josh Bannan as part of a 12-5 run despite losing captain Will Magnay to a foot injury with two minutes to play.

In the end, the JackJumpers couldn’t quite overcome the hump with United winning by two to leave Tasmania in sixth position with a 12-14 and with the New Zealand Breakers (10-15) hot on their hammer.

Before hurting his foot late in the game, Magnay finished with 17 points, five rebounds, four assists and three steals for the JackJumpers on 7/11 field goal shooting and going 3/4 from the charity stripe.

Bryce Hamilton also had 17 points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals with Nick Marshall contributing 11 points and six boards with another strong defensive job on Melbourne captain Chris Goulding (nine points, 3/10 shooting).

Josh Bannan also had 10 points, 12 rebounds and three assists, Tyger Campbell nine points and two assists, Majok Deng eight points, three rebounds and two steals, David Johnson three points and three boards, and Ben Ayre two points, three rebounds, an assist and a steal.

Melbourne centre Jesse Edwards finished with 21 points and 10 rebounds with Tyson Walker adding 14 points and six assists, and Milton Doyle 13 points, five rebounds and two assists along with a late crucial three-pointer.

It was all about the Jesse Edwards-Will Magnay inside battle early doors with the Melbourne big man scoring eight of his team's first 11 points before picking up two quick fouls.

Magnay ended up with nine of Tasmania's first 11 points and the JackJumpers did go on a 7-0 run to be up three, but United went into quarter-time on top 23-21 with a heave on the buzzer from Tyson Walker.

Edwards was back on and scored immediately to start the second quarter for Melbourne before Tanner Krebs, Kyle Bowen and Walker landed triples to see their lead get out to nine.

As typical in battles between these teams, Tasmania responded with the next six points and closed the half with a 13-5 run to cut the Melbourne advantage to 43-42 at the break.

Every time Melbourne threatened to pull away throughout the second half Tasmania kept answering including when Nick Marshall scored five straight points late in the third quarter to put them in front.

But by three quarter-time United were back up two and then that lead even got out to eight with four minutes to play when Edwards scored once more.

The JackJumpers kept on coming and were back within two with 1:30 to play following a triple from Josh Bannan and bucket to Bryce Hamilton, but ultimately the biggest play of the night was Edwards' block on Bannan and Melbourne held on for the two-point win.

The JackJumpers are now on the road still to the Sydney Kings on Thursday night before a return to MyState Bank Arena only two days later on Saturday against the Illawarra Hawks.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – HOOPSFEST

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 77 (Hamilton 17, Magnay 17, Marshall 11)

MELBOURNE UNITED 79 (Edwards 21, Walker 14, Doyle 13)

BOX SCORE