Injury-hit Bullets blow 9-point fourth quarter lead

• ‍Mark Worthington unloads on Bullets coach Stu Lash‍
• Bullets boss 'Lashes' critics: circles wagons around head coach Stu Lash‍
• Bullets shock: Advisor Stu Lash appointed head coach

Tasmania JackJumpers defeated Brisbane Bullets 84-82 at Brisbane Entertainment Centre in Round 3 of NBL26.

Josh Bannan's dominant 23-point, 15-rebound performance countered a late Brisbane rally in the thrilling two-point victory.

The depleted Bullets dropped to 1-3 after blowing a nine-point fourth quarter lead to the JackJumpers, who moved to 3-1.

Brisbane Bullets star guard Sam McDaniel is out for two months after ankle surgery, Javon Freeman-Liberty was ruled ahead before tip-off while head coach Stu Lash's sideline approach is under intense scrutiny. Brisbane has lost three straight, by a combined 10 points, after beating the Breakers in Round 1.

Key Details

• Result: Tasmania JackJumpers 84 def. Brisbane Bullets 82
• When: October 4, 2025
• Where: Brisbane Entertainment Centre, Brisbane
• Standings

By the Numbers

• Josh Bannan (Tasmania JackJumpers) starred with 23 points, 15 rebounds, two assists and one block in 37 minutes.
• Jaylen Adams (Brisbane Bullets) scored 19 points, had four rebounds, seven assists and four steals in 31 minutes.

What Happened

The JackJumpers opened with a narrow advantage, leading 22-21 after the first quarter before Brisbane seized control in the second period. The Bullets outscored Tasmania 24-20 to take a 45-42 lead into halftime, with Taine Murray finding his rhythm from beyond the arc.

Brisbane maintained their momentum in the third quarter, extending their lead to eight points (66-58) heading into the final period. Murray's efficiency was impressive, shooting 7-from-10 from the field including 3-from-5 from downtown for his 17 points.

The game transformed dramatically in the fourth quarter when Tasmania mounted a stellar comeback. The JackJumpers outscored the Bullets 26-16 in the final period to secure the two-point victory. Will Magnay was exceptional, finishing with 13 points on an outstanding 6-from-7 shooting from the field while adding eight rebounds and three steals.

Josh Bannan was the standout performer for Tasmania, dominating with a double-double of 23 points and 15 rebounds. The forward was incredibly efficient, shooting 9-from-12 from the field (75 percent) while adding four free throws. TJ Starks provided crucial scoring punch off the bench with 18 points in just 19 minutes of action.

The rebounding battle proved decisive, with Tasmania securing a commanding 43-32 advantage on the boards. This dominance helped offset Brisbane's superior three-point shooting (11-from-30 compared to Tasmania's 6-from-21) and gave the JackJumpers critical second-chance opportunities in the tight contest. Despite committing 14 turnovers to Brisbane's 13, the JackJumpers' control of the paint ultimately secured their impressive comeback victory.

How the 4th quarter unfolded

Start of 4Q: Brisbane 66 – Tasmania 58
End of Game: Brisbane 82 – Tasmania 84
➡️ Tasmania outscored Brisbane 26–16 to complete the comeback.

Opening Lineups (Start of Q4)

Brisbane Bullets:
Jaylen Adams, TJ Starks, Nick Marshall, Tohi Smith-Milner, Tyrell Harrison

Tasmania JackJumpers:
Bryce Hamilton, Josh Bannan, Will Magnay, Alex Ducas, Tyger Campbell

⏱️ 10:00–7:00 | Tasmania Ignite the Comeback (from 58–66 to 69–64)

Tasmania started the quarter down eight, but TJ Starks and Tohi Smith-Milner (Brisbane) initially pushed the lead to double digits with a quick 6–2 spurt.

Then came the JackJumpers’ momentum swing:

• Josh Bannan sparked life with defensive rebounds and transition runs.
• Tyger Campbell drew fouls and hit free throws (2-of-3).
• Bryce Hamilton and Nick Marshall traded buckets, but Tasmania’s pace and aggression were lifting.

At 7:40, after Bannan’s coast-to-coast layup and a Magnay putback, the deficit shrank to 69–64.

Tasmania had flipped the rhythm: faster tempo, crashing the glass, forcing Brisbane’s guards to settle for contested jumpers.

⏱️ 7:00–4:30 | Bannan and Magnay Take Control (from 69–64 to 73–72)

• Magnay dominated the paint — altering shots and collecting offensive boards.
• Bannan found seams in Brisbane’s defense, scoring through contact and facilitating from the high post.
• Adams (Tasmania) orchestrated in the half-court, finding Ducas for rhythm looks.

Brisbane’s early-quarter flow disappeared:

• Adams (Brisbane) and Starks both missed floaters.
• Harrison picked up a crucial offensive foul.

By 4:30, Bannan’s drive and Dalton’s hook brought Tasmania within one possession, 73–72.

⏱️ 4:30–2:00 | JackJumpers Grab the Lead (from 73–72 to 80–78)

Tasmania’s defensive structure — switching on the perimeter, funnelling to Magnay — locked in.

• Alex Ducas nailed a corner three at 2:17 (off Adams’ assist) to cap a 15–6 run that gave the JackJumpers their first lead since early in the 2nd quarter, 80–78.
• Tyger Campbell drew another foul and split free throws to make it 79–78 just before that Ducas triple.

Brisbane’s shots dried up; Starks and Harrison missed back-to-back looks inside.

⏱️ 2:00–0:00 | The Clutch Finish (from 80–78 to 84–82 Tasmania)

1:49 – 1:05:

• Campbell hit 1-of-2 from the line (80–79).
• Harrison (Brisbane) briefly restored the lead with a hook shot (82–79).
• Bannan answered with a driving layup (82–81), then dished to Magnay for a dunk that swung the score 83–82 Tasmania.

0:13 – 0:02:

• Hamilton drew a foul on Dalton and made 1-of-2 FTs (84–82).
• Smith-Milner rebounded the miss, launched a potential game-winning three, but Bannan blocked it at the buzzer — sealing Tasmania’s comeback win.