Tempers Flare as Phoenix Survive Late Meltdown in Tassie
South East Melbourne Phoenix's struggles continued at their Launceston venue, known as the 'house of horrors,' yet this time Tasmania lost differently in a thrilling 103-102 shootout against them on Thursday.
With this narrow victory, the Phoenix secured second place on the NBL ladder ahead of a key match against their fierce rivals, Melbourne United.
Game Overview
The host team, Launceston JackJumpers, entered with a poor 2-7 record at the Silverdome, following a dismal 75-69 loss to Cairns. Despite a strong effort from Bryce Hamilton, who scored 36 points on 16-23 shooting, the JackJumpers suffered their third straight home defeat. Their record fell to 5-6 after prior losses to the Taipans and Perth.
Meanwhile, the Phoenix, who started the previous season 2-6, have dramatically improved to 7-2 this year after outlasting the hosts in one of the season's most exciting games.
Key Moments
- Late turnovers by the Phoenix gave the JackJumpers a chance to win, but Ben Ayre’s corner three-pointer rimmed out as the clock expired.
- Phoenix young player Malique Lewis was exceptional, scoring 23 points on 9-11 shooting, including 18 points in the first half where he hit his first five shots.
"Two horrible turnovers by the Phoenix late gave the JackJumpers a late chance to steal the win, but Ben Ayre’s corner three-pointer rimmed out as time expired."
Standings Impact
This win places South East Melbourne Phoenix firmly in second place on the ladder, setting up a top-of-the-table clash against Melbourne United, intensifying the rivalry.
Despite Hamilton's standout performance, the JackJumpers remain mired near the bottom of the standings, highlighting the challenges they face at home.