Despite the returns of Will Magnay and Clint Steidl to the JackJumpers, the New Zealand Breakers spoiled the homecoming party, defeating Tasmania 84-76 in a scrappy encounter in Launceston.
Missing key players Milton Doyle, Matt Kenyon and Jarred Weeks through injury, Tasmania required big minutes from its remaining roster as they faced a strong Breakers team that already had beaten the JackJumpers twice this season.
After going down early in the first quarter, the JackJumpers took the lead mid-way through the second quarter with Jack McVeigh and Rashard Kelly leading the offence. However, with both teams in constant foul trouble, easy points from the foul line prevented either team from taking control of the game.
It had been awhile between games for Clint Steindl, but he was able to slot back into his sharpshooting role almost seamlessly, knocking down both his three point attempts for the game.
With the Breakers down three points heading into the last quarter it was Breakers import Derek Pardon who proved the difference. The big man was a target under the basket late in the game, scoring 10 of his game high 19 points in the final quarter, to propel the Breakers over the line.
After the match Scott Roth lamented giving away so many foul shots.
“We were relatively even throughout the first three quarters and credit to them they made some better plays than we did down the stretch in the forth quarter, they just won the quarter. And obviously putting them to the line 36 times at home is not a recipe you want to have often but I love the fight of our guys and the competitiveness,”
Tasmania was led by Rashard Kelly who had 17 points and 7 rebounds, while Josh Magette had 14 points but struggled from the field, only managing 3/17 of his shots. Jack McVeigh was the only other JackJumpers in double figures with 11 points, but he was well contained by the Breakers defense for most of the night.
On the defensive end Magnay provided rim protection that the team has been craving throughout the season. His stay was brief, fouling out after 14 minutes, but Scott Roth was happy to have him back on the court.
“The kid’s worked extremely hard to get to where he is and you know our organisation, our physios, our whole program has rallied around him to get him back out on the floor,” Scott Roth said.
“But great credit to him, he wanted to be back six weeks ago actually and we kept holding back a little bit and he’s not quite where he needs to be but these short bursts of minutes will help his confidence.”
The game ended in somewhat dramatic fashion as 40 minutes of physical battle came undone in a battle for a loose ball. There was some pushing an shoving from both sides, but thankfully no major incidents took place. The teams will battle it out one more time this season, when the Breakers visit Hobart on Boxing day.
TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 76 (Kelly 17, Magette 16, McVeigh 11)
NEW ZEALAND BREAKERS 84 (Pardon 19, Le’afa 17, Brown 12, Brantley 12)
Key takeaways from the game
Tight Silverdome hoops strike again
The rims at the Silverdome are notorious for not being overly friendly to shooters, and this game was no exception. Both teams struggled from the field, with the JackJumpers shooting 39% and the Breakers shooting 39%. While from outside it wasn’t a great sight for the JJ’s fans, shooting just 21% (4/21) while the Breakers managed to adjust to the rims a little better, shooting 38% (10/26).
Free throws rule
In what was quite a physical game for both teams, fouls played a big part in how this game was played out. In total 48 fouls were called (27 for Tasmania, 21 New Zealand), which resulted in 36 free throws attempts to the Breakers and 21 to Tasmania.
Up next
The JackJumpers have a week break before heading to Melbourne to take on United on Saturday night.
