Tasmania JackJumpers have kept their hopes of an NBL grand final series alive in their debut season with a nail-biting seven-point semi-final win over reigning champions Melbourne United.
Tasmania were at their tenacious best at a capacity MyState Bank Arena in Hobart on Saturday night, claiming the second best-of-three playoff 79-72.
It means the semi-final series will head to a decider in Melbourne on Monday, after United claimed game one on home court.
JackJumpers' Canadian import MiKyle McIntosh (13 points) came to life with five points in the final minute to break a neck-and-neck last quarter.
It came after United clawed their way back from an 11-point deficit in the second quarter to lock it up 59-all at the end of the third.
Jack McVeigh, who top-scored for Tasmania with 15 points, nailed back-to-back three-pointers at the beginning of the fourth to give his side the momentum.
JackJumpers' American import Josh Magette drained a crucial triple with about two minutes left for a 72-68 lead, before returning for two free throws in the dying seconds to put the icing on the cake.
Melbourne skipper Chris Goulding was inspirational in a losing side, picking up a game-high 18 points, including 11 in the third quarter to drag his team back into the contest.
But Tasmania shut him out in the final period, in which he didn't register a point.
United had the yips from the free throw line, slotting eight from 14 shots while Tasmania picked up 13 out of their 14 chances.
Led by American import guard Josh Adams, the JackJumpers out-enthused Melboure in the first quarter, forcing several turnovers and opening up a 17-12 lead.
Tasmania skipper Clint Steindl opened with back-to-back buckets in the second, before United went on a Goulding-inspired run of seven points.
A highlight of the quarter was a running battle between United's Australia Olympian Matthew Dellavedova and Magette, with the pair sharing several verbal exchanges off the ball.
Tasmania have exceeded expectations in their maiden year and now have three wins against United for the season.
