JackJumpers defeat Melbourne in second pre-season clash

Thursday, August 31, 2023

Tasmania has defeated Melbourne in the second of two pre-season games between the sides.

Photo via Tasmania JackJumpers

A fast fourth quarter finish was not enough for Melbourne United to overcome Tasmania on Wednesday night in the second of the team’s two pre-season clashes, as Milton Doyle guided the JackJumpers to an 11-point victory.

Both teams came out of the gates firing in the first quarter, and Melbourne headed into the first break with a 28-25 lead from an up-and-back, offensively charged term.

Tasmania tightened the screws in the second and third quarters though and outscored Melbourne by a combined 21 points across the two terms. Doyle had 17 points by half-time and went on a lone 8-0 scoring run to open the margin in the second quarter.

Scott Roth rested the bulk of his starters for the final term, and United made the most of their opportunity to get back into the game thanks to some renewed defensive grit, however a pair of quick buckets from Fabijan Krslovic broke the resistance of the away side.

Doyle added just five more points to his half-time stat-sheet to end the game with 22 points and four assists, while Krslovic ended with 15 points, seven rebounds and five assists.

New development player Jacob Richards impressed with his opportunity and dropped seven points from his 21 minutes on court for Tasmania.

Third-year development player Zac Triplett flew the flag for Melbourne on offence and finished the game with a team-high 14 points, while Tanner Krebs scored 13 points after missing Monday's game between the two sides.

Next Star Ariel Hukporti impressed on the glass with 10 rebounds, while Campbell Blogg scored 13 points.

Melbourne and Tasmania have now completed their on-court preparation ahead of the Hungry Jack’s NBL Blitz, where both will take to the floor on the first day of the competition.

The JackJumpers were without Marcus Lee, Will Magnay, Walter Brown, Majok Deng, Junior Madut and Clint Steindl, while Melbourne was missing Matthew Dellavedova, Ian Clark, Luke Travers, Chris Goulding, Flynn Cameron, Shea Ili, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr and NRP Rob Loe.

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS – 89 (Doyle 22, Krslovic 15, McVeigh 13)
MELBOURNE UNITED – 78 (Triplett 14, Krebs 13, Blogg 13)