The rank outsiders went on to finish the stronger 79-72 to win over one of the tournament favourites New South Wales Metro on Tuesday.

The Sydneysiders had led by five points with 3:51 left on the clock, but the stoic Tasmanian defence shut their rivals completely out.

Reyne Smith in process hit 13 of his 31 points in the final term that included scoring 10 of their last points inside the final three minutes to turn around the five-point deficit.

Taran Armstrong played out the entire 40 minutes to pick up 16 points and a game standout seven assists.

Launceston’s Jackson Lowe had his best all-round performance to finish on a championship-high 14 points with four assists and four rebounds.

Tasmania initially led 24-20 at quarter-time, but NSW Metro came back to lead by six points at half-time.

The state’s girls battled hard all game against Western Australia, but the Perth hosts would win 72-51.

Tassie captain Sharn Hayward posted a game-high 23 points and in the defeat also collected five rebounds.

Launceston’s Micah Simpson finished with 14 points.

But Tasmania previously made light work of the ACT in an emphatic 74-40 victory.

Their most consistent game across the board was built on 11, 18 and 25-point leads at the intervals.

That was reflected with Emerson Wells top-scoring with 13 points, Launceston’s Aishah Anis and Hayward on 12 each and Simpson 11.