JLA takes charge as 'Cats win in Tassie

Jo Lual-Acuil Jr took charge after the Tasmania JackJumpers lost Will Magnay, Elijah Pepper had a career night and the Perth Wildcats dominated the offensive glass to come from 17 points down for the 95-84 road win.

The JackJumpers flew out to a 19-5 start and were up by 17 in the first quarter, but the Wildcats outworked them from there including pulling down 15 offensive rebounds to eight to take an extra seven shots.

The JackJumpers also lost inspirational captain Magnay to injury in the second half and Perth's seven-footer took advantage. Lual-Acuil Jr ended up with 23 points, six rebounds and three assists to lead the 'Cats to the 11-point win to improve to 5-4 without import pair David Duke Jr and Dylan Windler.

Magnay left the court in the third quarter at Hobart's MyState Bank Arena on Wednesday night after seemingly hurting his leg in the Ignite Cup by Disney+ match up.

Coming off the momentum from Sunday's come from behind win over the Sydney Kings, the JackJumpers returned home and started on fire opening up a 19-5 lead, which soon became 26-9 when Majok Deng knocked down a three ball.

Tasmania were still up 28-16 by the end of one but then the Wildcats scored the first 11 points of the second term, and by half-time it was the JackJumpers clinging to a 41-37 edge despite nine to one offensive rebounds for Perth.

The 'Cats then put up 35 points in the third period to go into the fourth frame up four, before ending up scoring the last seven points to score the 11-point win to improve to 5-4 on the season.

On top of what Lual-Acuil Jr did for the Wildcats, Elijah Pepper scored a career-best 19 points on 5/6 three-point shooting with David Okwera adding a season-best 13 points and six rebounds.

Kristian Doolittle chimed in with 14 points, four rebounds and four assists, Jaron Rillie 11 points and three boards, and Ben Henshall 10 points and two assists without a turnover.

It's the first of five straight home games for the JackJumpers who are now 5-4 with Bryce Hamilton outstanding and efficient with 26 points on 11/15 shooting.

Nick Marshall also had 15 points and three rebounds, Josh Bannan 15 points, eight boards and four assists, Tyger Campbell 12 points and seven assists, and Majok Deng 11 points and six rebounds despite Tasmania being -29 in his 23 minutes.

Both teams back up to play again this weekend with the JackJumpers taking on the Cairns Taipans in Launceston on Saturday while the Wildcats remain on the road to face the South East Melbourne Phoenix on Sunday.

‍HUNGRY JACK'S NBL SEASON 2025/26 – IGNITE CUP BY DISNEY+

TASMANIA JACKJUMPERS 84 (Hamilton 26, Bannan 15, Marshall 15)

PERTH WILDCATS 95 (Lual-Acuil Jr 23, Pepper 19, Doolittle 14)

BOX SCORE