Bryce Hamilton looked set to claim the spotlight but missed his game-winning cue in Tasmania’s 103-102 loss to South East Melbourne in Launceston.
The JackJumpers’ import guard had 36 points on 70 per cent shooting, adding eight rebounds and four assists without a single trip to the foul line in Thursday’s high-scoring thriller.
But after dragging his side back from a five-point deficit in the final minute, he was unable to find space for the potential match-winning shot.
After forcing a Nathan Sobey turnover from the in-bound pass, Hamilton took the ball up the court but was forced to switch to an open Ben Ayre, whose three-point effort rimmed out.
In a dramatic conclusion, Phoenix coach Josh King’s attempt to console his former player — still with time on the clock after the ball had bounced out — was swiped away by a filthy Ayre.
The hosts had possession but were unable to concoct a miracle play with less than one second on the clock.
Hamilton’s was no one-man act, with Sobey (28 points, four assists, three steals, six turnovers) shooting five-of-eight three-pointers and making a tough three-point play late in the fourth.
Trinidadian Next Stars talent Malique Lewis shot nine-of-11 for his 23 points to go with four rebounds and four assists, while Owen Foxwell (15 points, five steals, four rebounds, four assists) was instrumental in the final quarter.
John Brown III (10 points, 14 rebounds, four steals) also grabbed a decisive offensive rebound — his eighth — in the final moments.
Josh Bannan had 15 points and 10 rebounds for the hosts.
Victory meant Kelly’s team kept pace with Adelaide in second place at 7-2, while Scott Roth’s side fell to 5-6.
