Tasmania JackJumpers have created a slice of history by winning the NBL championship in just their third season to give the Apple Isle their first ever trophy.
The JackJumpers survived a nail-biting finish to edge out Melbourne United 83-81 to spark scenes of wild celebrations at Rod Laver Arena.
United veteran Chris Goulding hit a three-pointer with four seconds left to cut the gap to two and after a turnover, Matthew Dellavedova had one last chance from half court to steal victory but the shot went wide and the JackJumpers sealed one of the all-time biggest boilovers in NBL history.
JackJumpers coach Scott Roth was uncharacteristically lost for words after the victory, emotionally soaking in the magnitude of his team’s achievement.
“Island defended,” Roth said in tears after his Gatorade shower. “Our guys continued to believe. These games came down to last possesssions and I can’t believe it.
“We fought like hell and we’re coming home with the trophy. We pounded the rock all season long and today we split up.
“I was brought up in a tough environment and they’re tough minded people (in Tasmania). They love that island with a passion. They’re tired of being punched down on and they needed something to rally around and the timing of us being in there afforded us to be the team that they wrapped their arms around.
“This little island just got defended.”
In front of 11,175 fans in enemy territory at John Cain Arena, Jordon Crawford produced one of the great scoring performances to help Tasmania claw their way to the crown in a gripping battle.
Crawford scored 27 first-half points and overcame a quite third period to finish with a series-high 32.
It was the equal-third highest tally by any player in a title-series game during the 40-minute game era, which dates back to 2009.
Melbourne shot out to a 31-26 lead after the first quarter before the visitors tied the scores up at 44-44 at the main break. United led 63-59 after three quarters but Tassie were not to be denied in their pursuit of history.
The result completed a fairytale ride under Roth for the league’s newest franchise, who lost a title decider two years ago in their debut season.
United earned home-court advantage for the Championship Series and won the first of three Melbourne games by 23 points, but coughed up the final two in tight contests.
The final four games of the series were decided by a total of just 11 points. “The last four games really came down to a few possessions here and there, and our guys stayed resilient when it looked like they might throw a knockout punch,” Roth said.
“We just kept grinding away and I can’t be more proud of this group. That was the trait throughout the season.
“We had an anomaly in that first game when we travelled back from Perth and were maybe a little fatigued, and they smacked us pretty good.
“It was the leadership from our captains and more importantly the poise that we have, knowing that we’ve done the work all season.”
Crawford was the hero for Tasmania but had plenty of support from Jack McVeigh (14 points, eight rebounds), Will Magnay (11, 12) and Milton Doyle (11,10).
Each of Melbourne’s five starters reached double figures, led by Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (14 points), Dellavedova, Goulding and Luke Travers (13 each).
“We challenged for a championship and we all just want one or two possessions back,” United coach Dean Vickerman said.
“What an amazing series we were a part of and I’m sure we’ll reflect on that once we get over actually losing the tight game that we were in.”
Lual-Acuil set the tone for an explosive first quarter with a huge dunk under pressure from Magnay and Doyle to open the scoring.
Travers had 11 points to his name as Melbourne built a double-figure lead inside five minutes and held a 31-26 advantage at quarter-time after Goulding’s buzzer-beating three-pointer.
But Crawford’s scintillating 19-point first period on perfect shooting, including four triples, kept Tasmania firmly in the contest.
He remained perfect from long range with his fifth three-pointer, which put Tasmania ahead for the first time, two minutes before halftime.
Goulding hurt his right knee in a collision with Majok Deng and racked up three fouls before halftime, as one of a host of players from both teams in foul trouble.
Scores were locked at 44-44 at the main break as Crawford’s personal tally swelled to 27 points.
The first half’s dominant figure went cold in the third quarter, throwing up four shots – all of them unsuccessful – as a tense battle continued at both ends of the floor.
Melbourne burst out of the blocks in the fourth quarter with a 7-2 run that drove a nine-point wedge between the teams.
But Crawford responded with the next five points and Tasmania were level again in the blink of an eye.
The JackJumpers got five points up, but Goulding’s ridiculous off-balance three with four seconds left ensured the game went down to the buzzer.
Melbourne pinched an in-bounds pass and Dellavedova heaved a potential game-winner that missed, sparking wild scenes among the travelling Tasmania fans.
with AAP
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