New rule confusion takes shine off Tassie comeback

• All 165 games of the NBL27 season in one list
• Every NBL27 roster, squad list and projected depth chart
• Every injured NBL player, with expected return dates

Controversy has taken the shine off an incredible comeback win for the Tasmania JackJumpers who overcame a 14-point halftime deficit to record a 96-91 victory over the South East Melbourne Phoenix at MyState Bank Arena.

Tasmania seemed headed for an improbable win in their season opener after a David Johnson eruption in the second half before a late steal from Phoenix import D'Shawn Schwartz led to a disruptor foul call, formerly an unsportsmanlike foul, giving the visitors two free-throws to tie the game and possession.

But confusion took over the situation as Phoenix's Skylar Mays tried to take the free-throws, instead of Schwartz, leading to the shot being taken off South East Melbourne and possession given back to the JackJumpers - much to the pleasure of the packed My State Bank Arena.

The overturned call led to a Nick Marshall floater, putting the JackJumpers back up by four, which proved too much to overcome for Josh King's side, who were on the second game of a road trip after beating the Perth Wildcats on Saturday.

Johnson, who finished with 26 points as well as six rebounds and six assists, said coach Scott Roth's message was simple at halftime when all seemed lost for the home side.

"Just believe," he said in the post-game press conference.

Tasmania's fight back came after an Angus Glover three-point barrage in the first half.

Johnson's bench explosion lifts JackJumpers past Phoenix in Round 1 thriller

Tasmania opened their season with a 96–91 win over the South East Melbourne Phoenix at MyState Bank Arena on Monday, 21st of September, with David Johnson's 26-point outburst off the bench proving the difference in a tightly contested Round 1 opener. Johnson iced the result with a free throw inside the final three seconds to seal a five-point margin.

Johnson powers the decisive contribution

David Johnson was the game's dominant offensive force, pouring in 26 points on 10-of-15 shooting, including 3-of-7 from beyond the arc, to go with six rebounds, six assists and a block across 26 minutes. His +14 plus/minus underlined how much Tasmania leaned on their reserve guard in critical stretches, culminating in the free throw that closed out the contest at Q4 00:03.

Armstrong and Magnay set the tone

Taran Armstrong turned in an efficient 19 points on 8-of-13 shooting alongside three assists and a steal, while Will Magnay was a monster in the paint with 14 points, four rebounds, six assists, a steal and a block on 3-of-4 from the floor and a perfect 8-of-8 from the free-throw line. Magnay's game-high +16 rating reflected his two-way influence.

Dakota Mathias rounded out the starting effort with 14 points, six rebounds and three assists, connecting on 3-of-5 from three-point range to keep Tasmania's perimeter offence humming.

Phoenix bench keeps the visitors within reach

South East Melbourne relied heavily on Angus Glover, who erupted for a team-high 21 points on 8-of-15 shooting and a scorching 5-of-11 from deep to keep the Phoenix in touch throughout. Skylar Mays added 18 points, six rebounds and two assists, drilling 4-of-9 from three-point range to lead the starting unit.

Dash Daniels contributed 11 points, three rebounds, four assists and a steal on 5-of-8 shooting, while D'Shawn Schwartz chipped in 12 points and five rebounds. Despite the balance, the Phoenix could not overcome Tasmania's efficiency.

Efficiency and free-throw dominance decide it

The JackJumpers shot 53.0% from the field compared to the Phoenix's 42.1%, converting 35 of 66 attempts against South East Melbourne's 32 of 76. Tasmania also owned the free-throw line, going 18-of-23 to the Phoenix's 14-of-19, a margin that proved crucial as the two sides traded blows late.

Tasmania's ball movement stood out with 21 assists on 35 made field goals, led by Magnay and Johnson (six apiece), while Nick Marshall added 10 points, three rebounds and three assists in a steady supporting shift.

Phoenix pay for cold nights from the starters

Outside of Mays and Daniels, the Phoenix starting five struggled to find rhythm. Tanner Krebs managed just four points on 1-of-8 shooting including 0-of-5 from three, while Jordan Hunter's nine points came in limited minutes due to foul trouble, finishing with three personals in under 12 minutes on court. Yannis Morin's -14 was the worst mark of the night as Tasmania consistently exploited the interior.

By the Numbers

David Johnson (TAS): 26 pts │ 6 reb │ 6 ast │ 10-of-15 FG │ 3-of-7 3PT

Taran Armstrong (TAS): 19 pts │ 3 ast │ 8-of-13 FG

Will Magnay (TAS): 14 pts │ 4 reb │ 6 ast │ 8-of-8 FT │ 3-of-4 FG

Dakota Mathias (TAS): 14 pts │ 6 reb │ 3 ast │ 3-of-5 3PT

Angus Glover (SEM): 21 pts │ 5-of-11 3PT │ 8-of-15 FG

Skylar Mays (SEM): 18 pts │ 6 reb │ 4-of-9 3PT

D'Shawn Schwartz (SEM): 12 pts │ 5 reb │ 2-of-5 3PT

Dash Daniels (SEM): 11 pts │ 4 ast │ 5-of-8 FG