JACKS CRACK KIWIS
Impressive Tasmania puts on a show at home
WITH royalty in the house it was the JackJumpers who reigned supreme in Hobart on Boxing Day after withstanding a late comeback to defeat the plucky New Zealand Breakers for the first time this season with a 93-82 victory at MyState Bank Arena.
In what was the Breakers’ first game in 18 days due to a Covid outbreak, the JackJumpers held a double-digit lead for almost the entire contest until a familiar JJs face stepped up when needed most to fend off the brave Breakers and their finalquarter flurry.
After leading by as much as 16 points in the third quarter, the JackJumpers and their boisterous home crowd was silenced midway through the final term when Breakers guard Barry Brown Junior hit a long ball to cut the margin to 77-70 with 6:61 left on the clock.
But with the deafening sold out Hobart crowd – featuring Tasmania’s own Princess Mary of Denmark and her family as special guests – needing a hero, it was a familiar face who stepped up for the JackJumpers as Jack McVeigh exploded to get the Jackies home.
With just two points to his name in the opening three periods, the Smiling Assassin poured in 11 final-term points to lead his side to a crucial 11-point win.
Josh Magette (16 points, five rebounds, four assists, five steals) was also crucial in the dying stages with a big three and some clutch free throws while Milton Doyle (14 points, four assists, five steals) also played a key role as his fine form continued.
Meanwhile unsung centre Fabijan Krslovic (14 points, five rebounds) played a monster role in setting up the win with all of his points coming in the first half.
Five players scored in double figures for the brave Breakers, with Izayah Le’ Afa (21 points, four rebounds, five assists) leading the way.
The important win – the JJs first in four attempts over the Breakers this season – was built on the back of an 11-2 first-quarter run spearheaded by Krslovic.
The JJs (9-8) will now look to make it three on the trot on Friday when they travel to Sydney to take on the ladder-leading Kings in a Grand Final rematch.