2026-01-17

Melbourne 79 - 77 Tasmania

Melbourne secured a narrow two-point victory over Tasmania, winning 79-77 despite shooting 40.5% from the field compared to Tasmania's 43.9%. The game came down to shooting efficiency and turnover margin, with Melbourne committing 9 turnovers to Tasmania's 10. The defining factor was the fourth quarter, where Tasmania shot just 5-of-20 from the field (25%) while Melbourne went 9-of-19 (47%). Jesse Edwards was the primary catalyst for the win, scoring 21 points on 8-of-9 shooting to go with 10 rebounds. His efficiency in the paint neutralized Tasmania's inside presence. Will Magnay led Tasmania with 17 points on 7-of-11 shooting, but his scoring output was not enough to overcome Melbourne's ability to control the tempo in the final minutes. Melbourne's 18 offensive rebounds were a significant advantage, providing extra opportunities that Tasmania struggled to corral. The game featured a late rally by Tasmania, cutting the deficit to two points with 1:33 remaining, but Melbourne's defense held firm, forcing missed shots and capitalizing on the final turnover to seal the win.