Tasmania's 79–77 win over New Zealand on Friday night wasn't comfortable, but it was the sort of result that keeps a team at the top of the NBL ladder. The JackJumpers survived a final shot from Sam Mennenga after letting a nine-point three-quarter-time lead almost disappear. They got the result; the Breakers were left with another close defeat and plenty to think about after a huge individual performance.
The difference wasn't one dazzling scoring run. Tasmania started the second half with seven straight points after the teams reached half-time locked at 43–43, then carried a 64–55 advantage into the last quarter. That third-period response mattered because New Zealand had finished the first half on an 11–0 run. The JackJumpers steadied themselves when momentum had shifted, even if they couldn't put the game away. The NBL's match report details the swings and the tense finish.
Dakota Mathias led Tasmania with 18 points, including four three-pointers, while Will Magnay added 16 points and three blocks. Josh Bannan's 14 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists were arguably the more revealing line. Tasmania needed more than one scorer to survive a night when New Zealand kept answering, and Bannan's rebounding and passing gave the JackJumpers a way to create chances without relying entirely on perimeter shooting.
Mennenga was outstanding in defeat, finishing with 29 points and 17 rebounds. That's a monster night in a two-point loss, and it puts the Breakers' problem in sharp focus: their leading big delivered enough production to win, but the team couldn't quite turn it into the decisive final possession. Carlin Davison supplied nine assists, stepping into a greater playmaking burden as Parker Jackson-Cartwright didn't return after half-time. The late opportunity was there when Magnay missed two free throws, but Mennenga's long two at the buzzer missed.
For Tasmania, the win also reversed an uncomfortable Silverdome pattern. The club had won only twice in its previous 11 games at the Launceston venue, according to the league's game account. Home advantage doesn't mean much if the result keeps slipping away; this time, the JackJumpers held their nerve just long enough. Their recent results also include a narrow loss to Sydney and a road win over South East Melbourne, so this was a useful response in a demanding stretch.
New Zealand's frustration is understandable. The Breakers' official fixture record shows losses to Cairns by two points and Adelaide by seven in recent weeks, alongside a heavier defeat to Melbourne. The margin in Launceston was tiny, but the broader picture is a team finding ways to compete without consistently collecting wins. Mennenga's production is a genuine strength; turning that into more reliable late-game offence is the challenge.
Tasmania next visit Perth on Thursday, 12 November, while New Zealand return home to face Brisbane on Friday, 13 November, as listed on the JackJumpers' official schedule. The JackJumpers will take the ladder points and move on. The Breakers have a more urgent question: how many more big Mennenga nights can they afford to let slip?
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