Phoenix Silence JackJumpers in Launceston

Phoenix came into tonight's game with their finals chances on the line. 

Phoenix came out of the blocks with back-to-back threes from Ryan Broekhoff to start their count, and from that moment they never trailed. 

The JackJumpers kept coming but the Phoenix were able to weather the storm each time the JackJumpers came.

Late in the third the JackJumpers cut the lead to three, before the Phoenix pushed the lead back out to six.

The JackJumpers tried to minimise the gap but Phoenix found a way to answer and break their losing streak, keeping their finals chances alive with a 11-point win.

Phoenix take the dub home to a sold-out State Basketball Centre to take on the Perth Wildcats.

(Phoenix break their five game losing streak with an 11-point win in Launceston.)

The Result

South East Melbourne Phoenix 86 - 75 Tasmania JackJumpers

The Numbers

Phoenix
Creek: 23 points, 11 rebounds
Browne: 15 points
Williams: 14 points, six rebounds

JackJumpers
Doyle: 16 points

The Turning Point

Third Quarter Save

With the JackJumpers bringing the margin within three late in the third, back-to-back buckets from Broekhoff and Tohi Smith-Milner started an 8-0 run that kept the Phoenix in the lead.

The Play of the Game

Working Hard on Both Ends

As Creek continues his MVP cailbre season, he impacted at both ends of the floor. His rebounding was pivotal to the win. Late in the second half, with the JackJumpers pushing, he pulled down a massive offensive rebound, was fouled and knocked down the free throws to seal the win.

Player of the Game

Mitch Creek

Creek was vocal about his displeasure after the Phoenix's last performance against the JackJumpers, and he rectified it tonight. He ended the night with a double-double of 23 points and 11 rebounds.

(Creek was unstoppable in tonight's win over the JackJumpers.)

From the Coach

Simon Mitchell

"The difference between tonight and the other night was that we made some free throws which is thankful. The endeavour, the effort things, we looked after the ball a bit better as well and I thought that was the key to the game."

From the Player

Mitch Creek

"It’s the effort of the guys who don’t show up on the stat sheet, I am just proud of those guys that work tirelessly. We have so much more to play for than this game."

Phoenix Media (18/1/23)