Another Bryce in Perth lights up RAC Arena

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Bryce Hamilton put an absolute show as the second-up Tasmania JackJumpers went into RAC Arena and held off the Perth Wildcats 75-72 in round 1 of NBL26.

Hamilton, 24, went 12-from-19 from field and scored five of his game high 26 points in the clutch to lead the JackJumpers to their first win of the new season.

He finished with 26 points, six rebounds, five assists, two steals and was +7 in 33 minutes.

On the other side of the ledger, Jo Lual-Acuil Jr proved he's going to be a handful in NBL26. He had a 15-point and 14-rebound double-double.

Key Details

• Result: Tasmania JackJumpers 75 def. Perth Wildcats 72
• When: September 20, 2025
• Where: RAC Arena, Perth

By the Numbers

• Bryce Hamilton (Tasmania JackJumpers) starred with 26 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals in 32 minutes.
• Jo Lual-Acuil Jr (Perth Wildcats) scored 15 points, and had 14 rebounds, two assists and one block in 27 minutes.

What Happened

Perth started the season opener with impressive energy, jumping to an early eight-point advantage by the end of the first quarter (21-13). The Red Army 11,701 strong were ready as the Wildcats looked to establish dominance early.

But Tasmania responded in the second quarter, outscoring the Wildcats 20-14 to cut the deficit to just two points at halftime. Bryce Hamilton began finding his rhythm, showcasing his scoring ability with efficient shooting that would become the story of the night.

The JackJumpers seized control in the third period, winning the quarter 21-14 and turning a halftime deficit into a five-point lead heading into the final frame.

Hamilton's outstanding performance proved the difference, as he finished with 26 points on 12-from-19 shooting from the field. The guard added six rebounds and five assists in a complete performance that Perth had no answer for. Despite Perth's Jo Lual-Acuil Jr posting a strong double-double with 15 points and 14 rebounds, it wasn't enough to overcome Hamilton's efficiency.

The JackJumpers' defensive pressure was evident throughout, forcing 13 Perth turnovers while recording seven steals compared to Perth's three. Tasmania's David Johnson provided valuable support with 12 points on efficient 3-from-7 shooting, including three triples, while Will Magnay added 10 points and Josh Bannan contributed nine points with 10 rebounds. Despite a late charge from Perth in the fourth quarter where they outscored Tasmania 23-21, the JackJumpers held firm to secure the three-point victory.