Milton Doyle grabbed a double-double and Jack McVeigh had another big night as the JackJumpers came from behind to square the NBL Grand Final series.
Melbourne United broke open the game through the middle half, turning a 23-23 deadlock at quarter time into a five-point advantage at the last break.
But the JackJumpers could not be denied.
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The Jackies lived up to the mantra – “Defend the Island” – to hold the top seed to just 14 final quarter points and run away with an 82-77 win.
But it was a late unsportsmanlike foul on McVeigh, which few thought was the right call, which left fans with a sour taste.
Doyle had 13 points and 10 rebounds for his double-double, while Mcveigh had a night with 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and a block.
Jordon Crawford (13pts) kept the home side in the game as the championship favourites threatened to run away with the contest.
Shea Ili (20pts, 66 per cent from the field) and Chris Goulding (19pts) led the way for Melbourne United, while centre Jo Lual-Acuil Jr fell one point short of a double-double of his own (9pts, 11reb, 2 blocks, and a steal).
The series will return to Melbourne on Sunday evening for Game III.
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