JackJumpers hold on for home victory

The composure of Majok Deng ended up being crucial in the Tasmania JackJumpers getting back to winning at MyState Bank Arena to hold out the fast finishing South East Melbourne Phoenix to prevail 87-84.

The JackJumpers were playing a fourth game in the space of nine days while the Phoenix were playing for the first time in that period with the visitors also unveiling former NBA and NBL championship winning guard Ian Clark.

Looking to rebound from the Boxing Day loss at home to the New Zealand Breakers that meant Tasmania had won just twice in eight attempts at MyState Bank Arena this season, they shot out of the blocks.

The JackJumpers were leading 23-15 by quarter-time with Deng putting up nine of those points before they went into half-time leading 49-33 with Deng and Bryce Hamilton combining for 25 points and the Phoenix shooting just 29 per cent with everyone bar Nathan Sobey also going 5/26.

Tasmania did lead by as much as 19 points, but South East Melbourne fired back and in the last minute got back as close as a point. The JackJumpers held on for the three-point win with an offensive rebound and two clutch free throws from Deng critical.

Deng produced his second best scoring performance of the season to end up with 21 points and seven rebounds while shooting 6/12 from the field, 3/7 from downtown and 6/8 at the foul line.

Bryce Hamilton produced another 17 points and four assists in the win while Josh Bannan had 11 points and seven rebounds, David Johnson nine points, two boards and two assists, and Tyger Campbell nine points, three rebounds, three assists and two steals.

Ben Ayre also had seven points and five assists, Will Magnay six points, three rebounds and two assists, Nick Marshall five points and five boards, and Nick Stoddart two points and three rebounds.

Nathan Sobey top-scored for the Phoenix with 27 points and five assists on 5/13 three-point shooting with Owen Foxwell adding 17 points and five rebounds, and John Brown III 13 points and 10 boards.

After a tight opening to the contest, the JackJumpers made the first break by going on an 8-0 scoring run late in the first quarter with six of those points courtesy of Majok Deng.

Deng then knocked down a second three-pointer of the opening quarter with the JackJumpers closing the frame with a 13-4 run to be leading 23-15 at quarter-time with the 47 per cent field goal shooting to 27 from the Phoenix.

Tasmania then opened up the second term strongly as well with a 9-2 run including the last five of those from Bryce Hamilton topped by a three-point bomb.

That saw the JackJumpers lead out to 15 points and it got to as much as 19 before half-time. By the break the home team was on top 49-33 with 25 points and 8/14 shooting combined from Hamilton and Deng.

The Phoenix were always going to mount a second half fightback and they did close the deficit to 10 halfway through the third quarter, but the JackJumpers continued to answer including with three balls to Ben Ayre and David Johnson.

Tasmania were still leading 66-56 by three quarter-time and again even though South East Melbourne kept trying to fight back, the JackJumpers kept answering and Deng hit a huge three with six minutes to play to make the margin 12 once more.

The game had plenty more to play out, though, and the JackJumpers left the door open with missed free throws. The Phoenix kept on shooting and were back within four with a triple from Jordan Hunter with a minute to play.

Nathan Sobey then made a prayer with 25 seconds left to make it a one-point game before Deng did show his composure to hit two free throws to push Tasmania back out by three.

South East Melbourne still had a chance and Sobey had a couple of looks at the three that didn’t go, and then so did Ian Clark, but the JackJumpers held on to win by three.

The gruelling schedule the JackJumpers are currently in the middle of continues on New Year's Eve when they are on the road to play the Illawarra Hawks before opening the New Year hosting Melbourne United on Saturday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 87 (Deng 21, Hamilton 17, Bannan 11)

SOUTH EAST MELBOURNE PHOENIX 84 (Sobey 27, Foxwell 17, Brown III 13)

BOX SCORE