NBL: JackJumpers Beat Bullets 109-99 in OT as Armstrong Stars

Taran Armstrong poured in 29 points as the Tasmania JackJumpers beat the Brisbane Bullets 109-99 in overtime at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre on Saturday night, keeping alive a quirky undefeated run whenever AFL three-peat coach Chris Fagan is in the building.

According to NBL.com.au, Tasmania erased a double-digit first-half deficit, forced overtime on a Josh Bannan finish from an Armstrong pass, then won the extra period to move to 3-1 in NBL27. ESPN listed the result as Final/OT: JackJumpers 109, Bullets 99.

Armstrong leads the road fightback

Armstrong finished with 29 points on 9-of-17 shooting, including 4-of-7 from three and a perfect 7-of-7 from the foul line, plus four assists, per the ESPN box score — his strongest night since joining Tasmania from Europe, and a follow-up to his late winner in Thursday’s 84-82 escape over Melbourne United.

Captain Will Magnay added 22 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four blocks in a heavyweight duel with Tyrell Harrison. Former Bullet Josh Bannan had 22 points, 11 rebounds and five assists against his old side, while Dakota Mathias scored 19 with three steals and a game-high +24 plus-minus.

NBL.com.au reported Brisbane led by 14 in the second term and by seven at half-time (47-40 per Basketball.com.au) before Tasmania took the third quarter 34-18. The Bullets answered with an 11-0 run to regain the lead late in regulation; Bannan tied it and overtime went Tasmania’s way 18-8, Basketball.com.au reported, as the visitors shot 7-of-9 from the field in the extra period.

Fagan in the building

JackJumpers coach Scott Roth used his post-game press conference to tip his hat to Fagan, the Tasmanian who has just stepped away after steering Brisbane Lions to a third straight AFL premiership — coverage TSB has already filed on Fagan going out on top.

“A big shout out to Fages in the building and he’s obviously a Tasmanian, a supporter of us and his record is undefeated every time he seems to show up we end up winning,” Roth said, according to Basketball.com.au. “So, congratulations to him in his three-peat and in retirement and you know to have the GOAT in the locker room after the game is a massive thing for our group and he’s been a great friend of mine the last few years, so kudos to him and the Brisbane Lions.”

On the comeback, Roth added: “I’ve been doing this for quite a long time here with these guys and we just are not going to quit on anything. If we get punched around, which we will, I’m sure, during the course of the season, we’re just going to keep attacking and doing what we do and these guys stayed patient.”

Armstrong, reflecting on representing his home state, told Basketball.com.au: “It’s so unique (playing for Tasmania).” He said the support reminded him of junior national championships where Tasmania felt overlooked: “From that moment I always had such a massive pride in where I come from and I feel the support a great deal and saw so many fans and Jackie jerseys (at the Brisbane Entertainment Centre).”

Bullets take the lessons

Harrison led Brisbane with 24 points and 12 rebounds. Nate Hinton and Max Mackinnon each scored 21 — Mackinnon 5-of-8 from deep — while Arnas Velička finished with six points and 13 assists on 2-of-14 shooting, including 1-of-11 from three, per the ESPN box score. Jaylin Williams added 10 points, eight rebounds and four assists before fouling out; Jacob Holt had 10 off the bench.

Bullets coach Will Weaver said, per Basketball.com.au: “You tip your hat to (Tasmania) for making plays when it mattered and Taran Armstrong had a really strong game.” Harrison framed it as growth: “This is a great learning experience for us,” adding the club is “building to a bigger goal”.

Brisbane have now lost consecutive games after opening NBL27 2-0 and host a short turnaround path toward Cairns later in the week. Tasmania sit 3-1 after back-to-back wins over United and the Bullets.

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