SEARCHING to bounce back after two tough losses at home to end 2023, the Tasmania Jack Jumpers got back on the winners list to start 2024, defeating the Cairns Taipans by 17 points at MyState Bank Arena.

The win came from standout performances from Milton Doyle, Marcus Lee and Anthony Drmic. The JackJumpers shared the load, with plenty of contributions off the bench, helping the side to a 103-86 victory. 

With both teams having even contributions scoring wise in the first quarter, the Jack Jumpers took a nine-point lead into the first break.

Sean Macdonald and Lachlan Barker brought the spark in the first quarter, whilst Doyle did likewise in the second quarter, helping the JackJumpers win the term 22-21, maintaining a 10-point advantage at the half-time.

The Jack Jumpers went on a 20-5 scoring run in the third term, winning it 28-18, dominating the boards on the defensive end, 24-21. The JackJumpers lifted their pressure on the defensive end, 5-1 winning the blocks category and the steal category, 6-3.

The Taipans won the last quarter, 27-24, with the bench points category finishing 40-30. The Taipans had contributions from Tahjere McCall, Bul Kuol and Taran Armstrong off the bench, but it was the field goal and turnovers that was the difference.

The JackJumpers finished the game shooting 49 from 79 at 53 per cent, compared to the Taipans’ 33 from 72 at 46 per cent. The Taipans also had 12-9 turnovers. 

Doyle finished with 31 points, shooting 14 from 26 at 54 per cent, while Lee (16 points, shooting seven from 10 at 70 per cent from the field) and Drmic (eight rebounds, 11 points) were also productive.

For the Taipans, McCall finished the game with 20 points, six from 13 at 46 per cent from the field and Kuol scored 11 points, including four of nine from the field. Armstrong and Bobi Klintman both had solid performances off the bench, finishing with 18 and 16 points respectively. 

The JackJumpers play two games in Round 15; away against the Brisbane Bullets on January 10 and at home January 12 against the Illawarra Hawks, whilst the Taipans face the Adelaide 36ers January 13.