Tasmania JackJumpers (3-5) weathered a fierce Brisbane Bullets (2-4) comeback to secure an 87-79 victory at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday night. Captain Mitch Norton’s outstanding 20-point performance in the Bullets vs JackJumpers match wasn’t enough to overcome the visitors, who sealed the game with clutch three-point shooting in the final minutes.
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First-half struggle, second-half comeback
Brisbane’s offence encountered early turbulence, managing just nine points in the opening 13 minutes while shooting 2-of-15 from the field. The home team didn’t score their first field goal until four minutes into the contest through Josh Bannan. The JackJumpers capitalised on Brisbane’s cold shooting, building a commanding 28-9 lead early in the second period.
The Bullets erupted after halftime, producing a 30-point third quarter. The offensive surge, led by Norton’s sharpshooting and strong contributions from Tohi Smith-Milner and Jarred Bairstow, propelled Brisbane to a three-point lead heading into the final frame.
Despite pushing their advantage to five points with seven minutes remaining, the Bullets couldn’t maintain their momentum. The JackJumpers’ duo of Jordon Crawford (16 points, 6 assists) and Craig Sword (8 points, 4 rebounds) combined for four decisive three-pointers in the closing stages.
Individual performances
Norton stood as Brisbane’s lone consistent offensive threat, finishing with 20 points and four assists. Casey Prather added 11 points, while Tyrell Harrison contributed seven points and 11 rebounds in a game where offensive production proved difficult to find. The usually reliable Harrison and James Batemon combine for just 6-of-17 from the field, reflecting the team’s overall shooting struggles.
Bullets coach Justin Schueller reflected post-game, “We just weren’t putting it in the hole and we felt pretty comfortable where we were holding them to 20 in that first quarter with the opportunity to fight back.”
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The Bullets will have to regroup for their Queensland derby against the struggling Cairns Taipans (3-6) on Saturday, November 2, at the Cairns Convention Centre. Tip-off is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. The state rivalry game presents an opportunity for Brisbane to address their inconsistent offensive output against a team mired in a five-game losing streak.
Published 28-October-2024
Match preview published on 23-October-2024.
Bullets vs JackJumpers: Brisbane Eye Third Straight Win Against Struggling Champions
Fresh off back-to-back victories, the surging Brisbane Bullets (2-3) face their biggest test yet against defending champions Tasmania JackJumpers (2-5) this Saturday, 26 October. Bullets vs JackJumpers tip off 7:00 p.m. at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre.
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Building momentum in Brisbane
Josh Bannan and the seventh-placed Bullets are transforming their home court into a dreaded destination for visitors, securing a convincing 92-78 victory against the New Zealand Breakers last week. The win marked their second straight triumph, setting up a crucial clash with the ninth-placed JackJumpers.
“We want to establish a real fortress here, we want it to be a tough place to come and play. We’re going to make sure of that,” Bannan says, as the Bullets bounced back strongly after dropping their home opener to the Sydney Kings.
The Bullets’ renewed focus on home-court advantage comes after last season’s heartbreak, where they finished 13-15 (8-6 at home), missing the finals on points differential to the New Zealand Breakers.
Bullets vs JackJumpers
The JackJumpers arrive in Brisbane determined to recapture their championship form. Despite their slow start, star guard Milton Doyle remains confident, drawing on the team’s resilient history.
“Each year I’ve been here we’ve gotten a rough start to the season,” Doyle says, coming off a strong individual performance against Adelaide with 22 points, seven rebounds, and six assists.
The matchup presents an intriguing contrast: the resurgent Bullets, who missed last season’s playoffs by the narrowest of margins, are building momentum and establishing home-court dominance. Meanwhile, the defending champion JackJumpers find themselves in unfamiliar territory near the bottom of the ladder, desperate to avoid the wooden spoon while kickstarting their title defence.
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The Bullets have won two of their last three meetings with the JackJumpers, including both games at home last season, setting up Saturday’s clash as a potential turning point for both teams’ seasons.
