JackJumpers make it three straight

The Tasmania JackJumpers might have got off to a shaky start in NBL23 but that sure didn’t last and now they are on an impressive three-game winning run after beating Melbourne United 74-64 on Sunday.

The JackJumpers and United clashed at John Cain Arena for the first time since their memorable semi-final series last season, and Tasmania kept its impressive run going not only this season but also against Melbourne.

Despite United being the regular season champions last season, Tasmania has now won five of the seven meetings between the two clubs and once again their defence, hustle and efficient offence made them mighty tough to beat.

Tasmania closed the opening quarter with a 12-2 run, led by 13 at half-time and then still by 15 throughout the fourth term on the way to a third straight victory after losing the first three of NBL23.

The JackJumpers were right back at their best to hold Melbourne to 64 points while taking three extra field goals and nine more free-throws. Tasmania also collected 41 rebounds to 33 and 11 offensive boards to six for 13 second chance points to two.

They did enough offensively too with Fabijan Krslovic finishing with 13 points and three rebounds, Rashard Kelly 13 points and 12 boards, and Josh Magette 10 points, four rebounds and three assists.

Jarrad Weeks hit another couple of threes for eight points with Jack McVeigh adding eight points, and Milton Doyle seven to go with five rebounds and three assists.

While Jack McVeigh did open the game with a three ball for Tasmania, Melbourne had the better of the early stages with the next six points with key trio Isaac Humphries, Rayjon Tucker and Xavier Rathan-Mayes all scoring.

However, the JackJumpers soon got rolling and finished the opening quarter on a 12-2 run to lead 22-14 at quarter-time on the back of pulling down 12 rebounds to Melbourne's five.

It was much the same story in the second period where the JackJumpers continued to dominate the glass and went into half-time with 27 rebounds to 11 including seven at the offensive end for 11 second chance points.

That helped Tasmania take a 42-29 advantage into the main break even despite a late triple from United veteran David Barlow.

United needed to respond quickly in the second hand and it couldn’t have began better as they fired off the opening 13 points including the first three buckets to Rathan-Mayes, and then a three ball from Chris Goulding.

All of a sudden scores were level in the space of less than three minutes, but the JackJumpers weren’t deterred and got back to work, and scored the next 10 points themselves including a three from Josh Magette and and-one play from Matt Kenyon.

Rashard Kelly then ensured the JackJumpers remained in control leading 61-51 by three quarter-time before the visitors hit the opening five points of the fourth term topped off with Jarrad Weeks continuing his remarkable three-point shooting this season.

There would be no coming back from there for Melbourne with Tasmania going on to win a third straight game in impressive fashion.

The JackJumpers are now back on their home court on Saturday night hosting the Perth Wildcats.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL ROUND 3

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 74 (Krslovic 13, Kelly 13, Magette 10)

MELBOURNE UNITED 64 (Rathan-Mayes 18, Tucker 15, Humphries 8, Barlow 8)

BOX SCORE