A NAIL-BITING finish and game-securing basket from Parker Jackson-Cartwright who fell just short of a triple-double saw New Zealand Breakers bounce back from a shock loss to Brisbane Bullets and knock off Tasmanian JackJumpers by a single point in overtime.

New Zealand Breakers (81) def. Tasmania JackJumpers (80)

The NBL Round 14 match was a classic that had everything, with twists and turns – 24 lead changes – with the largest margin by either side being 10 points. The Breakers were in front for most of the match, having got on the front foot with a 25-18 opening term, but could never quite shake the JackJumpers.

In front of a home Tasmanian crowd at MyState Bank Arena, the Jackies fought back through the middle two quarters to actually hit the front. They put up 37 points to 26 to turn a seven-point quarter time deficit into a four-point lead. However deep in the fourth term while still leading, Jackson-Cartwright made a crucial driving layup that tied the game with 37 seconds remaining.

Despite there still being 37 seconds on the clock, the Breakers defence held firm and despite both sides having a last opportunity – including a buzzer beater attempt from Izaiah Brockington. the game went to overtime. The two teams traded baskets there with just one point separating the sides until the last minute. With 64 seconds on the clock, Jackson-Cartwright again found the right lane and drove the ball home to give his team a three-point buffer.

Each team had its chances from both inside and outside the arc, but it was not until Will Magnay second chance basket with a clever tip in with three seconds on the clock that the JackJumpers hit back. It was game over, and the home side had gone down by a heartbreaking point, 81-80.

Jackson-Cartwright was clearly the architect, dishing off 10 assists and recording four steals on the night to go with his 17 points and seven rebounds, just three of the latter off a triple-double. While his long-range shooting (1/6) left a lot to be desired in the clash, he still stepped up when it counted in big moments.

Sam Mennenga (20 points, seven rebounds) and Karim Lopez (13 points, four rebounds) chipped in with important contributions, while the Breakers’ board-winning ability proved crucial as they defended bravely with the lead.

For the JackJumpers, Bryce Hamilton found no problem shooting from long-range, nailing six of 13 attempts from downtown as he put up 23 points and four rebounds from 39 minutes on court, the most of any player. Nick Marshall (10 points, 10 rebounds) notched up a double-double, while Magnay (10 points, eight rebounds), Josh Bannan (seven points, nine rebounds) and David Johnson (seven points, eight rebounds) all racked up huge rebound numbers.

Tasmania’s fourth of five game in 11 games takes place on Monday night against South East Melbourne Phoenix, before the final one in that stretch sees the JackJumpers head to Illawarra to tackle the Hawks. New Zealand Breakers now have a nice long nine-day break before recommencing on January 4.