'Cast aside' Marshall takes over as Jackies edge closer

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Tasmania JackJumpers coach Scott Roth has praised the work ethic of guard Nick Marshall after he exploded for a career-high 31 points in 114-70 demolition of the Brisbane Bullets at MyState Bank Arena to all-but seal sixth spot on the NBL ladder.

Marshall lit up the injury-riddled Bullets, going 12-from-13 from the field and 7-from-8 from beyond the arc, to star for a JackJumpers side who aren't short of injuries themselves.

Roth said that was what he expected from Marshall every night after that performance.

"I've said this many times when I've had a chance to bring him in... his work rate's incredible, and he's really obviously grown in our system," he said in the post-game press conference.

"Our coaches have done a wonderful job with him. He came in kind of this bit of an unknown, and we thought we had struck gold when we got him... he's exceeded our expectations of where he is right now and what he's been doing and it's really pleasant to see what these guys that invest in our coaching staff, and then they reap the rewards on a game like tonight.

"(Marshall is) a perfect example of a guy that just is grinding away and getting better every single week.

"He was a player that I think got cast to the side a bit by some teams, and he fell right into our lap, and we were excited when he was available.

"We felt that he was going to be really good, and if we could fix some of his defensive issues that he's had in the past, which now it's absolutely the opposite, we actually put him on the best players to try to defend, and again, his whole game has just morphed into something that is really pleasant for us, and we're excited about it."

Marshall said it was "nice" to have a performance like that but he was just happy to get a win for his team.

Key Details

• Result: Tasmania JackJumpers 114 def. Brisbane Bullets 70
• When: Thursday, 6th February 2026
• Where: MyState Bank Arena, Tasmania
• Attendance: 4,340
• Standings: View NBL Standings

By the Numbers

• Nick Marshall (Tasmania JackJumpers) starred with 31 points, six rebounds and three assists in 31 minutes.
• Hunter Maldonado (Brisbane Bullets) scored 18 points, had five rebounds, two assists and seven turnovers in 36 minutes.

What Happened

The JackJumpers established complete control from the opening tip, building a commanding 33-14 lead through the first quarter that set the tone for a comprehensive 44-point victory. Tasmania's offensive efficiency was exceptional throughout, shooting an outstanding 59.72% from the field compared to Brisbane's disappointing 36.5%.

Nick Marshall delivered a masterful performance, connecting on an incredible 12-from-13 shots from the field, including seven-from-eight from downtown. His 92.3% field goal percentage highlighted just how dominant Tasmania were offensively. Josh Bannan provided excellent support with 18 points and nine boards, while Tyger Campbell contributed 15 points on efficient 6-from-9 shooting.

The Bullets struggled immensely from beyond the arc, managing just three-from-21 attempts for a dismal 14.29% success rate. Hunter Maldonado and captain Mitch Norton combined for 35 points but couldn't generate enough offense to challenge Tasmania's relentless attack. Norton was perfect from the charity stripe, converting all eight free throw attempts.

Tasmania's ball movement was exceptional, recording 30 assists compared to Brisbane's nine dimes. This unselfish approach created numerous open looks, particularly from three-point range where the JackJumpers connected on 16 triples. David Johnson and Majok Deng each added 10 points, showcasing the full team effort that characterised Tasmania's performance.

The defensive intensity from Tasmania forced Brisbane into 13 turnovers while committing just seven themselves. The JackJumpers also dominated the paint, outrebounding their opponents 39-36 despite Brisbane grabbing 12 offensive boards. Tasmania's ability to limit second-chance opportunities proved crucial in maintaining their substantial advantage throughout the contest.