JackJumpers edge out Bullets in frenetic finish

The Tasmania JackJumpers have snapped the Brisbane Bullets' three-game winning streak with a nail-biting 87-85 win on the back of a rejuvenated Milton Doyle. 

After a quiet few games and just seven points against the same opposition last-start, import Doyle top-scored with 24 points as Tasmania bounced back from two-straight defeats.

Neither side was able to score in a chaotic final two minutes at Launceston's Silverdome on Saturday evening.

Brisbane point guard Mitch Norton missed two free throws during that period while former JackJumper Sam McDaniel couldn't nail a mid-range jumper which would have tied the game with mere seconds left.

It was revenge for the JackJumpers, who went down to the Bullets by three points on Sunday at Nissan Arena and improve to 5-4 for the season.

After trailing 45-41 at half-time, Tasmania produced their best third quarter of the season with Doyle landing three three-pointers.

Motivated after being locked down by former teammate McDaniel last Sunday, Doyle helped the JackJumpers take a 75-66 lead into the last quarter but Brisbane wouldn't say die, with Tyrell Harrison pulling off a run of six points to reduce the margin to three. 

Harrison was Brisbane's highest scorer with 20 points and also picked up eight rebounds as he continues his career-best season thriving on being healthy and an increased role. 

Tasmania jumped out of the blocks, reaching 9-0 early before holding a 21-19 margin at the end of the first quarter.

The Bullets fought their way to the lead early in the second quarter and got in front by as many as nine points. 

Doyle landed an important three-pointer on the half-time buzzer and then went back-to-back with threes early in the third quarter.

Last season's All-First Team member hit 4-of-9 from three for his 24 points for Tasmania with Jack McVeigh adding 13 points, Jordon Crawford 11 (despite 4-of-21 shooting), Marcus Lee nine (seven rebounds) and Clint Steindl nine (3-of-4) from downtown.

"My goal for this game was to be a little more aggressive," Doyle said. 

"I watched some clips with the coaches … I got 10 shots last game and the game before that. 

"My goal was just to get more shots up. I get more shots up, more will go in." 

Jarred Bairstow was originally denied entering the game when he wasn't on the team sheet, but he ended up having a significant impact in eight minutes with two popints, two assists and a rebound.

Along with Harrison's efforts for the Bullets who were playing a fourth game in nine days, Nathan Sobey had 18 points, Mitch Norton 10 and Chris Smith 10 with Aron Baynes adding six points and two rebounds in 10 minutes in his second game back from suspension.

Bullets coach Justin Schueller said his side at times looked tired after a hectic recent schedule. 

"But I’m really proud of the fight in the group," he said. 

"To hold Tassie to 12 in that last quarter and give ourselves three chances to win the game. There is still some satisfaction in that."

HUNGRY JACK'S NBL INDIGENOUS ROUND

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 87 (Doyle 24, McVeigh 13, Crawford 11)

BRISBANE BULLETS 85 (Harrison 20, Sobey 18, Smith 10, Norton 10)

BOX SCORE