Tasmania JackJumpers Stage Thrilling Comeback to Level NBL Championship Series

The Tasmania JackJumpers staged a remarkable comeback in a thrilling showdown against Melbourne United to level the NBL Championship Series. After Melbourne’s dominant win in the first game of the series, the JackJumpers faced a significant deficit early in the second half at the MyState Bank Arena in Hobart. Led by Chris Goulding, Melbourne went on an 11-0 run, establishing a 15-point lead.

At a critical juncture when Will Magnay of Tasmania received his fourth foul, the odds seemed stacked against the JackJumpers. However, Jack McVeigh‘s standout performance, contributing 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists, sparked their resurgence to narrow the gap to just three points by the end of the third quarter.

Despite Tasmania briefly taking a five-point lead with minutes remaining, the game remained closely contested. Ultimately, the JackJumpers secured the victory by containing key players like Jo Lual-Acuil and Shea Ili, who both fouled out. The series is now tied at one win each, with the next game scheduled in Melbourne before returning to Hobart for the fourth match.

Throughout the game, Tasmania’s Jordon Crawford emerged as an early standout, quickly amassing 13 points in a short span. Other contributors included Sean Macdonald, who stepped up with a crucial 13-point performance, and Milton Doyle, who battled defensive pressure to secure a double-double with 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Marcus Lee added to the JackJumpers’ effort with eight points, six rebounds, and three blocks, while Magnay overcame foul trouble to contribute seven points and five rebounds. Melbourne’s offensive production waned in the final stages, allowing Tasmania to capitalize on their defensive efforts and secure the victory.