Adelaide 36ers 72 (Johnson 16, Dech 15 points 5 rebounds)
Tasmania JackJumpers 80 (Adams 31 points 5 rebounds, McVeigh 14 points 5 rebounds)
Match Summary
The Tasmania JackJumpers left their best for last, coming from behind to storm home to beat the 36ers 80-72 in Adelaide.
The win improves their record to 13-10, and they move within one game of the top 4 and spot in the playoffs.
Facing a six point deficit with eight minutes to play in the final quarter, the JackJumpers went on a 16-0 run over the next 6 minutes to stun the home fans. Josh Adams had 8 of his game high 31 points during the run,
The JackJumpers began the game strongly through former sixer Jack Mcveigh, who was returning to Adelade for the first time. He opened the game with a three and dunk, scoring 8 of Tasmania’s first 10 points. The JackJumpers knocked down four from long range to race to a 24-15 lead at the first break.
However, Adelaide coach CJ Bruton made a number of adjustments and pleaded with his team to lift its defensive game. His team responded, forcing Tasmania into tough shots, but also finding points on the offensive end by attacking the rim and drawing fouls. Daniel Johnson, Sunday Dech and Mitch McCarron all benefiting by taking on the JackJumpers smaller lineup.
So much so the JackJumpers has already committed 5 fouls in the opening 4 minutes, sending the sixers to the foul line for every remaining foul in the quarter. Using this to their advantage, the sixers finished the half in front 43-41.
The lead stretched to double figures in the third quarter, capping off a remarkable 19 point turnaround since being down 9 points at quarter time.
But the game wasn’t over yet for Tasmania, with Josh Adams knocking completing a three point play and hitting a long three in the final moments of the third to keep the visitors within four points to begin the final quarter.
Tasmania then finished off the game with a dominant final quarter, keeping the sixers to 10 points, including a six minute period where they did not score. Josh Adams continued his late game form, hitting several tough threes to finish the game with 31 points. After teh game he creditied the work of his teammates on his shooting.
“I felt really good, a lot of these guys on the team were setting some great clean up screens that were opening up some lanes for me to get downhill and at the same time my shot was feeling good. But when i’m able to get to the rim early on my shot starts to feel good.”
Despite the offensive heroics the final quarter, JackJumpers Coach Scott Roth praised his teams defensive effort – after giving up 28 points in the second quarter.
“I mentioned it to the guys after the game and to hold them to 10 points in the forth quarter, our defence was much better so that was a big defensive quarter,” Roth said.
“We say all the time that our defence travels, when you’re on the road you have to defend. This team obviously is dangerous with a lot of scorers out there”.
Next up – the JackJumpers next face the Sydney Kings in Hobart on Sunday
Key takeaways from the game
The Tassie road warriors
The win makes it 3 straight wins in 8 days for the JackJumpers, after picking up wins in Brisbane and Perth last weekend. It moves their overall road record to 7-5.
Big minutes for Krslovic
With news during the week that there is still no timetable for Will Magnay returning, Fab Krsolvic played a season high 25 minutes to help his undersized team contain Daniel Johnson and Sunday Dech. He finished with eight points and eight rebounds.
Dominating the rebounds
A key to match, as it has been to their recent wins, was their effort on the rebounds. They won the rebound count 47-34, including 15 offensive rebounds.
