Bullets hand JackJumpers fourth straight loss

The Brisbane Bullets opened up a 14-point second half lead and with Casey Prather showing the way, they held out the Tasmania JackJumpers in a tight finish for Saturday's 83-81 road win.

The JackJumpers returned home to MyState Bank Arena on a three-game losing streak including the last two in Launceston, but it was the Bullets who outworked them for a lot of the game with Prather and Tyrell Harrison dominant.

The Bullets duo combined for 49 points, 17 rebounds, six assists, four steals and two blocks in the game as Brisbane opened up a lead as big as 14 points in the second half before holding on for the two-point win in a frantic finish.

Like on Thursday, JackJumpers star Bryce Hamilton had the ball in his hand for the final play but looked to dish to a teammate.

On Thursday, Ben Ayre's open three-point effort rimmed out but on Saturday they could only rush a low-percentage heave that barely hit the rim as with Brisbane holding on.

The Bullets have now won four of seven road games this season to improve to 5-7 with Prather finishing with 28 points and eight rebounds on 11/22 shooting while Harrison delivered 21 points, nine boards, three assists, two steals and two blocks.

Harrison got the better of his centre match up with former teammate Will Magnay, with the Tasmania captain having just three points and four turnovers to go with 10 rebounds.

The Bullets also welcomed back inspirational captain Mitch Norton and he showed his trademark desperation by diving for loose balls and taking charges with his team +6 in his time out there as he had four points and five assists.

It's a fourth consecutive defeat for Tasmania who are now 5-7 with Josh Bannan battling hard against his former team with 18 points, 11 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Nick Marshall also had 18 points, nine rebounds and three assists, Ben Ayre 14 points on 4/6 three-point shooting, and Bryce Hamilton 16 points despite a tough 5/15 shooting night even when going 3/6 from long-range.

The third term began with a JackJumpers turnover from the inbound and a Harrison dunk that bounced off his own face into his hands.

When Norton gathered a loose ball and Prather hit a dagger from long range the lead was 14.

Ayre replied for Tasmania and they managed to nullify the deficit with less than two minutes to play.

But, with turnovers at both ends, Prather held his nerve with a drive to the basket that decided the contest.

The Bullets now play the New Zealand Breakers on the Gold Coast in an Ignite Cup by Disney+ match up on Wednesday with the JackJumpers remaining at MyState Bank Arena to take on the Adelaide 36ers on Thursday.

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 81 (Bannan 18, Marshall 18, Hamilton 16)

BRISBANE BULLETS 83 (Prather 28, Harrison 21, Murray 8, Ducas 8)

BOX SCORE