BREAKING: The Tasmania JackJumpers delivered a stunning upset over Melbourne United with a dominant 92-73 victory at John Cain Arena on Tuesday night, dramatically boosting their NBL post-season aspirations. This decisive win marks Tasmania’s third victory in their last four games, bringing their record to 9-11.
In a performance that had fans buzzing, Tyger Campbell led the charge with 20 points, while Bryce Hamilton contributed 18 points. The JackJumpers outperformed United in every aspect, particularly in rebounding, where they claimed a staggering 51-31 advantage, including a critical 14-5 edge in offensive boards.
Despite a challenging night from beyond the arc, shooting only 4-of-17 from three-point range, Tasmania showcased their strength in the paint, marking this as their most impressive performance of the season.
Conversely, Melbourne United struggled, now losing five of their last six matches and slipping to a 14-7 record. The team’s key players faltered, with Milton Doyle scoring just 13 points on 4-of-12 shooting, and Chris Goulding managing only 4 points from 1-of-9 attempts. The absence of injured star Shea Ili, sidelined until at least the end of next month with a hamstring injury, was glaringly felt.
The game unfolded with an electric atmosphere, marked by physicality and tension, resulting in technical fouls for both JackJumpers coach Scott Roth and the Melbourne bench in the second quarter. Tasmania began strong, leading 22-19 at the end of the first quarter, powered by Campbell’s nine points early on.
The turning point came in the third quarter, where Tasmania unleashed a commanding 23-9 run, capitalizing on Melbourne’s shooting struggles. The JackJumpers extended their lead to as much as 20 points, demonstrating relentless energy and focus, which never waned throughout the match.
As the NBL season progresses, all eyes are on Tasmania as they aim to maintain this momentum. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely to see how Melbourne rebounds from this setback and whether Tasmania can build on this pivotal victory.
Stay tuned for further updates as the NBL playoffs approach!
