36ers downed by JackJumpers in first outing

A stunning opening quarter from Josh Magette has led Tasmania JackJumpers to a 97-72 win against Adelaide 36ers at the Entertainment Centre on Thursday night.

Magette and Milton Doyle connected on triples and when Magette hit his second triple, the JackJumpers held a 9-0 lead after 90 seconds.

Adelaide’s offense started very slow, and when Doyle hit his second triple, Tasmania led 18-4, then Magette’s perfect start continued, hitting his first four three-pointers as the JackJumpers lead increased to 27-6.

Tasmania’s hot shooting continued, the JackJumpers connecting on seven first quarter three-pointers as the NBL22 grand finalists went into quarter time with a huge 32-10 lead.

As the JackJumpers shooting started to cool off, Adelaide mounted their comeback through Craig Randall II, who scored 15 first half points, but Magette continued to have the answers as Tasmania took a 51-37 lead into the main break.

The JackJumpers then scored the opening five points of the second half to get their lead back out to 19 points, but Adelaide continued to rally, the 36ers twice got the margin down to 11 points, but they didn’t get any closer.

Sunday Dech (eight points, four rebounds) provided some spark off the bench, but Tasmania had all the answers as the Entertainment Centre were left stunned.

Magette had a game-high 23 points to go with seven assists, Rashard Kelly had 19 points and six rebounds, while Milton Doyle had 16 points.

Randall II finished with 18 points, Robert Franks battled hard for 14 points and four rebounds, while Antonius Cleveland added 10 points and five rebounds.