After two disappointing losses in Round 11, the Tasmania JackJumpers have responded in emphatic fashion, comprehensively defeating the Illawarra Hawks 97-60 at MyState Bank Arena.
The Hawks (2-14) came into the game on a four game losing streak and were dealt a further blow ahead of the game with their two leading scorers Michael Frazier and Tyler Harvey both missing the game due to illness.
Tasmania looked to take advantage of the shorthanded Hawks early, jumping out to a 13-5 lead in the opening minutes, with Will Magnay on the end of several offensive plays.
But the Hawks were ready for a contest, and they attacked the paint once Magnay taking a rest on the bench. Led by Sam Froling, the visitors went on a 17-2 run to end the quarter up 21-15.
Tasmania coach Scott Roth reined in some changes on the defensive end which paid almost immediate dividends for the JackJumpers. Led by Jack McVeigh and Milton Doyle they went on second-quarter charge that included a run of 14 straight points to turn the tables on the visitors and put the JackJumpers ahead by nine at halftime.
Embed from Getty ImagesThe lockdown defense continued in the second half as the JackJumpers extended their lead as they forced the Hawks into several turnovers (they finished with 20 for the game). The shorthanded Hawks were being worn down as the game went on, 16 unanswered points by Tasmaniain late in the third quarter put the game beyond doubt as the lead balooned to 21 points at the final break.
The win was a team effort by the Jackjumpers, who had 5 players in double figures. They were led by Jack Mcveigh’s 15 points, while Doyle and Rashard Kelly’s had 14 points each and Josh Magette had 12 points, six rebounds, five steals and four assists.
Embed from Getty ImagesAfter the game Scott Roth praised the Hawks and coach Jacob Jackomas
“We were quite concerned about this game because the last three to four weeks they started to get their rhythm and started to play much better which is a credit to him [Jackomas] and their group,” he said.
He also praised the work of his team’s ball movement and also being aggressive on court.
“The ball movement was really good offensively and once the ball started moving we can be quite the handful and then I thought our defence, we had two solid quarters there of 12 and I think 13 points there we held them to and regardless of who you are playing, those are numbers are outstanding” he said.
Up next
The JackJumpers return to MyState Bank Arena on boxing day for a matchup gainst the New Zealand Breakers, 7.30pm AEDT Monday 26 December.
This will be the forth and final meeting of the two sides this season, which the Breakers lead the series 3-0. This will be the Breakers first game since 8 December following a COVID outbreak within the team forced two of their games to be postponed.
