JackJumpers fall to Breakers as Magnay, Steindl return

Tasmania JackJumpers star big man Will Magnay made his long-awaited return but the New Zealand Breakers spoiled the party scoring an 84-76 win in Launceston on Friday night.

It was a night of mixed news on the personnel front for the JackJumpers with Magnay and captain Clint Steindl both returning, but at the same time they were missing key trio Milton Doyle, Jarrad Weeks and Matt Kenyon.

The former NBA centre showed plenty of bounce in his return from injury with two blocks in 14 minutes before fouling out but for the JackJumpers, but it wasn’t enough against a Breakers team who showed what is becoming their trademark grit.

In the end, the major difference was the Breakers hitting 10/26 from deep including a critical late dagger from Izayah Le'afa while the JackJumpers went just 4/21 from downtown for the evening at The Silverdome.

The second-placed Breakers proved too strong in the final quarter as they further showed their outstanding touch on the road improving their away record to 5-1 so far this season.

Breakers centre Derek Pardon had his shot blocked twice by Magnay in the first half as the pair engaged in a physical battle inside. 

The New Zealand import bounced back in the second half showing more patience with his moves finishing with 19 points and 10 rebounds while Le'afa matched his tally with 17 points and four threes.

Pardon shot 13/17 from the free throw line which proved pivotal for the Breakers and highlighted his strong work around the basket.

Jarrell Brantley added a crucial 12 points and eight rebounds including a massive offensive board down the stretch with Barry Brown Jr again adding a good scoring punch with 12 points to go with four assists.

Tasmania import Rashard Kelly had 17 points to lead the home side while point guard Josh Magette had 16 points but the JackJumpers had their struggles converting their three-point shots.

The two sides came together in the final seconds after Magette took exception to a foul from Breakers star Brown but they were soon separated with the latter waving goodbye to the home fans after the final buzzer. 

Both sides came into the match with plenty to prove, especially the home side who were soundly beaten by the Breakers in Auckland in Round 5.

The JackJumpers welcomed back Magnay who had missed 32 games with injury since going down midway through last season. Captain Steindl also returned from injury but the home side was without three key players with Doyle, Kenyon and Weeks all sidelined.

Magnay made his entry early in the first quarter and marked the occasion with a block on Pardon soon after.

But the Breakers had the best moments of the opening quarter with Jarrell Brantley again a handful for Tasmania as the visitors led 23-21 at quarter-time.

Magnay again stopped Pardon at the basket in the second quarter screaming out after he rejected his opponent and his rim protection helped keep the JackJumpers in the game as the Breakers looked to take a decisive lead.

Instead, the home side put the stops on New Zealand and gradually built a lead late in the quarter to head into halftime ahead 41-37.

Foul trouble hit the Breakers hard in the third quarter with Pardon, Brown, Brantley and Izayah Le’afa all on three or more fouls but both sides maintained their tight defensive standards with the JackJumpers holding a 61-58 lead going into the final quarter.

Pardon came to the fore in the final quarter twice completing three-point plays as the visitors took a six-point lead with three minutes to play after a steal and no-look pass from Brown found Pardon for a layup.

Le’afa’s fourth three made it 80-71 and capped off the win.

The Breakers back up again in Round 7 to host the Adelaide 36ers at The Trusts Arena on Sunday. the JackJumpers are next in action next Saturday night away to Melbourne United.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 7

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 76 (Kelly 17, Magette 16, McVeigh 11)

NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 84 (Pardon 19, Le'afa 17, Brown 12, Brantley 12) 

BOX SCORE