The Tasmania JackJumpers have opened their NBL27 season with a 96-91 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix in front of a home crowd at MyState Bank Arena in Hobart.
The Phoenix led for most of the night and built a lead of as many as 16 points.
Tasmania trailed 24-15 after the first quarter and were still behind at the main break.
A 36-point third quarter turned the game and the JackJumpers held on through a tight final term.
There were 25 lead changes across the match.
David Johnson was the best of the home side with 26 points from 15 shots, along with six rebounds and six assists.
Captain Will Magnay added 14 points and six assists and made all eight of his free throws.
Dakota Mathias also finished with 14 points, including three three-pointers.
The night marked the debut of Taran Armstrong in the green jersey.
He is the first born and bred Tasmanian to take the court as a rostered JackJumper.
Armstrong played more than 32 minutes and finished with 19 points, three assists and a steal.
Nick Marshall chipped in 10 points, three rebounds and three assists.
The JackJumpers shot 53% from the field for the game.
They were well beaten on the boards, with the Phoenix pulling down 44 rebounds to Tasmania’s 37.
Angus Glover top-scored for the visitors with 21 points, including five three-pointers from 11 attempts.
Skylar Mays added 18 points and six rebounds, while D’Shawn Schwartz finished with 12.
Dash Daniels had 11 points and four assists off the back of a strong shooting night.
The Phoenix were busy from beyond the arc, taking 36 three-point attempts and making 13.
Turnovers hurt them, with 11 giveaways and 24 team fouls that sent Tasmania to the line 23 times.
The win follows the Bendigo Blitz and two practice matches against the Sydney Kings for the new-look JackJumpers roster.
