'Flying Dutchman': Edwards' block snaps losing streak

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United big man Jesse Edwards stood tall down the stretch to propel Melbourne past the Tasmania JackJumpers 79-77 in Round 17 of NBL26 at HoopsFest in Perth on Saturday, January 17, 2026.

The 2.12m Dutch import had a monster block on JackJumpers' Josh Bannan tying lay-up attempt with 52 seconds left and then came up with a crucial defensive rebound on Bryce Hamilton's go-ahead three attempt with 13 seconds left.

Edwards finished with 21 points, 10 boards and two blocks as United snapped a three-game losing streak.

"It always comes back to a couple of possessions," United head coach Dean Vickerman said.

"Tonight, Jesse’s block shot was the possession that really wins us the basketball game.

"I’m so pleased it was a defensive possession to win the game — to hold them to 77, to have really good discipline.

Finn (Delany) goes 0-of-8, there’s so many things we can be better at. But we got over the hump, rewarded with a win, and hopefully we can build from here."

Edwards said United continued to put in the work despite losing eight on their past 10 coming in.

"The guys are definitely feeling good," he said.

"You know, it’s really just one you really want to pull out. It’s a close one, like coach was saying, and they’ve all been close ones.

"So winning those is really a testament to the team that really just pulls through to the end. They’ve done that a couple times, and I’m just really glad we were the one that did that tonight. So yeah, everybody’s happy.

"You always want to help the team and figure out how to do that.

"Early in the season we had a really good flow and it worked itself out. Right now, I’m trying to be as aggressive as I can without hugging the ball and taking every shot.

"It’s about getting a feel for when opportunities are there, and I think we’re getting better at that together."

Vickerman switched his line-up, bringing NBL champion Milton Doyle off the bench and starting NBL Next Star Dash Daniels in a search of a match-up advantage. Doyle ended up playing starter minutes (25), scored 13 points, have five boards and two assists.

Key Details

• Round: 17
• Result: Melbourne United 79 def. Tasmania JackJumpers 77
• When: Saturday, 17th January 2026
• Where: RAC Arena, Perth
• Attendance: 7,072
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Jesse Edwards (Melbourne United) starred with 21 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks in 23 minutes, shooting an outstanding 8-from-9 from the field.
• Bryce Hamilton (Tasmania JackJumpers) scored 17 points and had three rebounds, two assists and two steals in 35 minutes, connecting on 8-from-18 shooting.

What Happened

The contest was a thrilling affair from the opening tip, featuring 19 lead changes and neither team able to establish sustained control. Melbourne United managed to lead for over 31 minutes compared to Tasmania's five and a half minutes, but the narrow two-point margin reflected just how competitive this encounter truly was. The opening quarter saw both teams trade baskets before United edged ahead 23-21, setting the tone for what would become a see-saw battle throughout.

Edwards dominated the paint with his efficient shooting display, connecting on eight of his nine field goal attempts whilst cleaning the glass effectively with 10 boards. The 23-minute performance showcased his ability to control the interior on both ends, contributing two blocks whilst drawing five fouls from the JackJumpers' defence. His perfect shooting from two-point range helped anchor Melbourne's offensive attack during crucial moments.

Tasmania's response came through the balanced scoring of Hamilton and Will Magnay, who each contributed 17 points. Hamilton struggled with his outside shooting, managing just one triple from seven attempts, but remained aggressive attacking the rim throughout his 35-minute shift. Magnay provided excellent value with his 7-from-11 shooting efficiency, adding five rebounds and four assists to his scoring output, demonstrating the versatility that makes him such a valuable contributor.

The defining factor proved to be three-point shooting, where Melbourne's superior accuracy from downtown created the winning margin. United connected on 10-from-29 triples at 34.48%, whilst Tasmania managed a disappointing five-from-25 from deep at just 20%. This 15-point swing from beyond the arc ultimately decided the contest, with Chris Goulding and Tyson Walker combining for five of Melbourne's 10 successful three-pointers.

Melbourne United's victory maintains their strong positioning in the NBL standings, whilst Tasmania will rue missed opportunities in what was an eminently winnable contest. The JackJumpers' poor three-point shooting and inability to capitalise on their solid interior play from Magnay proved costly in the narrow defeat. Both teams showed excellent defensive intensity, with Tasmania recording eight steals to Melbourne's seven, but United's superior outside shooting proved the decisive factor.