The Tasmania JackJumpers have kept their maiden finals series alive after defeating Melbourne United in front of a capacity crowd in Hobart with the final score 79-72.
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The JackJumpers were facing a do-or-die situation heading into game two of the finals series after tasting defeat in the series opener in Melbourne on Thursday.
League veteran Jarrad Weeks had flagged the team was determined to improve their 'effort areas' ahead of game two during the week and the league's newest side came out with the frantic intensity which has become the bedrock of their debut season.
Jack McVeigh (15 points), MiKyle McIntosh (13 points) and Josh Magette (12 points) led the scoring for Tasmania but it was their defensive prowess secured the crucial victory.
While the JackJumpers lost the rebound count, they tidied up on the glass (41-38) in Hobart after being hammered on rebounds in the series opener. They also denied United's fleet of shooters time and space around the arc (shooting 6-34) as the visitors only hit one of 13 three-point attempts in the first-half.
"The physicality they came out with in the first quarter was another level, something similar to the way we played at home and tough to get a look," Melbourne United coach Dean Vickerman said.
"There's definitely some speed humps as you run down the floor and that's what they do ... we've got to keep finding ways to be better."
The defensive hustle saw the JackJumpers put together a 17-12 first term and lead 38-34 at the half with a roaring crowd pushing the decibel limit to see their side home.
"We've been gang-rebounding in the last 20 games, and it was the reason we had won 15 of those last 20. I'm super proud of everyone. What a place," coach Scott Roth said post-game to ESPN.
"They got a lot of fight."
Launceston-born Chris Goulding (18 points) did his best to dump his childhood state out of their maiden finals campaign by finding his long-range radar in the third term.
Consecutive buckets from Caleb Agada (14 points) and Goulding provided Melbourne the lead in the dying embers of three-quarter-time before a deep three-pointer from JackJumpers import Magette left it all to play for heading into the final term.
The scores were tied at the start of the fourth but it was McVeigh, who rose to the occasion, delivering long-range bombs to ensure the JackJumpers would be back in the lead at the crucial juncture.
McIntosh, after being criticised earlier in the season for his output, wrote himself a place in the hearts of the JackJumpers faithful as he sealed the win with five points in less than a minute on the clock.
The Canadian's physical bully ball style halted Melbourne's chances of winning the series in two fixtures and ensured another chapter would be written at John Cain Arena.
"These guys have done the work all year and have earned the right to be in this position with all the hard work they have done," Roth said.
"They continue to fight and scrap and defend the island and obviously, I've said it a million times, but I am super proud of the group."
In a record-breaking season, the JackJumpers delivered another chapter with their finals victory in Hobart, becoming the first expansion team to win a finals fixture in their debut season.
The JackJumpers will head to Melbourne to face the reigning premiers in the decider on Monday night.
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