Rd 5 Report | JackJumpers show grit to beat Breakers

Taran Armstrong had his best scoring performance in the NBL with Dakota Mathias and David Johnson combining for 37 points and nine three-pointers as the Tasmania JackJumpers returned to top spot beating the New Zealand Breakers 98-92.

It was a second game in less than 48 hours at MyState Bank Arena for the JackJumpers as they attempted to bounce back from Friday night's defeat to the Adelaide 36ers.

They were hosting a Breakers team fresh off beating the Sydney Kings in Canberra on Wednesday night so it shaped as a fascinating Sunday afternoon match up and it delivered.

No more than nine points ever separated the two teams, but that nine-point margin came in the fourth quarter where the JackJumpers eventually worked their way on top earning reward for dominating the possession battle.

New Zealand stayed in the contest thanks to 36 points and 11 rebounds from Sam Mennenga, and 17 points and 11 assists from makeshift point guard Carlin Davison, but the JackJumpers were in control of all the hustle areas.

By the end of the game, the JackJumpers had 19 offensive rebounds to nine and just 10 turnovers to 18 which ended up seeing them get up an extra 10 shots, 15 more free throws, and to win by six points to improve to a 5-2 record and go back to the top spot by the end of Round 5.

Armstrong hit the 30-point barrier for the first time in his NBL career and finished with 32 points, six rebounds, three assists and three steals on 9/14 shooting from the field and 12/14 at the stripe.

Johnson then put up 20 points and five rebounds on 4/11 shooting from the outside, and Mathias 17 points and three boards on 5/9 long-range shooting.

Captain Will Magnay had his hands full with Mennenga but still had 11 points, eight rebounds and six assists with Ben Gold contributing six points, three boards and two steals, Josh Bannan five points, five rebounds and four assists, Nick Marshall five points, three boards, two assists and two steals, and Biwali Bayles two points and three rebounds.

It was a high-octane opening quarter from both teams with the Breakers going into quarter-time with the narrow 32-31 advantage after the JackJumpers had earlier led by as much as five.

The JackJumpers were only shooting 9/20 to the 13/18 from New Zealand, but had nine free-throw attempts to two, six offensive rebounds to two, and just one turnover to four with David Johnson showing the way with eight points offensively.

The scoring rate dried up a little for both teams in the second quarter but it remained a tight affair with the JackJumpers going into half-time with the narrow 53-51 lead.

Johnson was up to 12 points and so was Taran Armstrong while Tasmania got up an extra four shots and 10 free throws on the back of nine offensive rebounds to three, and just four turnovers to eight.

Things turned into a bit more of a grind in the third quarter with Tasmania adding just 17 points, but that was enough to extend their lead to 70-65 by three quarter-time.

The Breakers managed just 14 points in the quarter on 5/12 shooting with another five turnovers and with Tasmania collecting seven more offensive rebounds, and with Mennenga only managing one shot attempt for two more points to be up to 25.

Tasmania then built the biggest lead of the game early in the fourth with a pair of free throws to Armstrong but the Breakers responded to draw back level soon after following a triple from Carlin Davison and bucket to Sam Mennenga.

Kouat Noi then put the Breakers in front briefly before the JackJumpers responded with a 6-2 including a Will Magnay dunk off an o-board.

Johnson then made his fourth three of the game with five minutes to go to put the home team up by a game-high eight points and getting the job done from there for the six-point victory.

The JackJumpers now have their third home game in quick succession when they host the Brisbane Bullets in an Ignite Cup match up on Wednesday night.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2026/27 | ROUND 5
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 98 defeated New Zealand Breakers 92

MyState Bank Arena, Sunday October 18

Taran Armstrong | 32 points, 6 rebounds, 3 assists, 3 steals
David Johnson | 20 points, 5 rebounds, 2 assists
Dakota Mathias | 17 points, 3 rebounds, 5/9 3PT
Will Magnay | 11 points, 8 rebounds, 6 assists
Ben Gold | 6 points, 3 rebounds, 2 steals
Josh Bannan | 5 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists
Nick Marshall | 5 points, 3 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals
Biwali Bayles | 2 points, 3 rebounds