NBL round 12, results, scores, reports: Hamilton, Bannan, star as JJs rise from Phoenix’s ashes
A malfunctioning shot clock threatened to undo the JackJumpers’ comeback efforts, but Tasmania did enough to secure an upset win over a disappointing Phoenix.
A malfunctioning shot clock threatened to unravel the Tasmania JackJumpers great work in building a big lead but they would regain control late in the game to secure an upset 89-81 win over a disappointing South East Melbourne Phoenix at Gippsland Regional Indoor Sports Stadium on Wednesday night.
The JackJumpers rolled up the sleeves with a workman-like performance to beat down on the Phoenix physically and mentally and flick the ignition switch on their troubled season with just a second victory in nine games.
The grit-and-grind JackJumpers overcame a slow start to come back from nine points down at quarter time to produce the shock win.
They were challenged on numerous occasions, including when Phoenix went on a 9-0 run in the third quarter shortly after a piercing sound from the malfunctioning shot clock reverberated around the Traralgon stadium to halt their momentum after they had built an eight-point lead.
But the JackJumpers steadied for a memorable win to keep their season alive.
Import guard Bryce Hamilton ran the show for the JackJumpers with 18 points and nine rebounds.
JackJumpers centre Will Magnay feasted inside the key with 12 points and six rebounds, a constant thorn in the side of Phoenix big man Jordan Hunter, who fouled out on a frustrating night with six points and eight rebounds.
The JackJumpers won the rebounding battle 53-44.
JackJumpers guard Nick Marshall was the chief irritant, constantly getting under the skin of the Phoenix players, and his teammates followed suit.
Marshall was one of four JackJumpers with 12 points apiece, including Magnay, Majok Deng and Josh Bannan.
It was a bad letdown for Phoenix after Sunday’s Throwdown triumph over Melbourne United.
It was the good, the bad and the ugly for Phoenix as they lived and died by the three-point line, going 9/38 (24%).
Five of the Phoenix’s three-pointers came in the opening quarter when they built a nine-point quarter time lead.
Phoenix showed their cards early as they let it fly from three-point land without a second thought.
Speedy Phoenix guard Nathan Sobey set the tone with two deep three-pointers to give Phoenix a 6-0 lead and for a second game in five days the JackJumpers were playing from behind.
Sobey was largely kept in check with 12 points on 3/11 shooting.
It was a feisty opening with the biggest spotfire seeing Sobey and Hamilton heading straight in each other’s direction to chest one another.
The chirping between the two sets of players continued in the second when Hamilton was subbed out with foul trouble, Sobey gave him a send off.
That was shortly after referee Michael Aylen was picked up on the ref’s mic saying to all players: “Play the game and stop whinging”.
Hamilton would have the last laugh, steering his side to victory with a calm and measured showing.
After shooting 5/9 from three in the first, they went 2/11 from three in the second and invited the JackJumpers back into the game.
Inserted into the starting lineup against his former side, Ben Ayre relished the chance to stick it to Phoenix, flexing towards the home bench after putting the JackJumpers up eight early in the third.
Just when the Jackies were starting to take control, a shot clock malfunction sent an irritating sound around the stadium and the game paused and the visitors’ momentum halted.
Despite Phoenix going on a 9-0 run to restore parity, the JackJumpers took a 70-66 lead into three quarter time.
The JackJumpers led by 11 with 2.37 left in the fourth, but Phoenix again refused to die, going on a 6-0 run, but the visitors steadied once more to produce a memorable win.
Wes Iwundu was the primary scorer for Phoenix with 15, but they will be desperate to get injured point guard Owen Foxwell back from his corked thigh to rejuvenate the offence.
Originally published as NBL round 12, results, scores, reports: Hamilton, Bannan, star as JJs rise from Phoenix’s ashes
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