Tasmania’s Milton Doyle shoots down NBL Bullets

Friday at 01:10 PM

A career-best eight three-pointers from “silent assassin” Milton Doyle in the NBL has inspired Tasmania to a come-from-behind 95-92 win over Brisbane.

After a week in which online abuse levelled at JackJumpers’ players and their families made headlines, Doyle starred with 32 points at Hobart’s MyState Bank Arena on Friday night.

Four of his three pointers came in the final quarter, with the most crucial arriving with 38 seconds on the clock to give Tasmania a four-point buffer.

Doyle, who has been inconsistent this season, also claimed seven rebounds as the JackJumpers went back-to-back for the first time in 2024/25.

His performance came after he scored just three points in his side’s win over the high-flying New Zealand Breakers.

“The silent assassin … he was all-in at both ends of the floor, which I love,” coach Scott Roth said.

“Last week ? he was controlling the game and this game we needed him to score.”

Defending champions Tasmania (5-8) are just one win outside the top six and seemingly on an upward trajectory after a sluggish start to the season.

They welcomed back big man Will Magnay, who got through 28 minutes on return from a shoulder injury and finished with an equal team-high seven rebounds.

Sean Macdonald (ankle) also made a comeback after an eight-week lay-off and was influential off the bench with seven assists.

Roth said his team’s upswing in form began “three or four” weeks ago.

“We were starting to click in some areas and our defence started to get really good in some areas,” he said.

“I’m very big about process and not skipping steps, not panicking or overreacting … and remaining really strong with our culture.”

Brisbane came flying out of the blocks, opening up a 17-3 lead in less than three minutes – shooting at 63 per cent for the first quarter.

But turnovers and wayward shooting allowed Tasmania to claw back momentum, with the home side hitting the lead midway through the third quarter off a Magnay dunk.

The JackJumpers took a 68-60 advantage into a final quarter in which both teams traded three pointers.

American guard Keandre Cook (23 points) kept Brisbane in the contest with several clutch shots in the final few minutes, while 23-year-old Josh Bannan was also strong (15 points and nine rebounds).

Bullets coach Justin Schueller said his team’s execution wasn’t the best at the death.

“It’s a frustrating one. We (also) had a couple of the boys go down with niggles,” he said.

The second-last Bullets (3-6) host Perth on Sunday, while Tasmania’s next fixture is on November 30 away to Adelaide after the FIBA break.

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