The 2026 National Basketball League1 South season delivered a classic thriller at the Icehouse on Friday night, as the Mt Gambier Pioneers edged the Hobart Chargers 101–100 in a game that came down to the final possession. A sellout crowd watched the home side hold off a furious Chargers rally, securing their third consecutive win and sending a statement to the rest of the league.

Match Overview

From the opening tip, both teams played with playoff intensity. The Pioneers jumped out to a 28–22 lead in the first quarter behind efficient perimeter shooting and aggressive drives to the rim. Hobart responded in the second, tightening their defence and capitalising on fast‑break opportunities to tie the game at 48–48 heading into halftime.

The third quarter saw Mt Gambier regain control, outscoring the Chargers 30–24 to take a six‑point lead into the final period. However, Hobart refused to back down. Led by their backcourt duo, they chipped away at the deficit and eventually tied the game at 99–99 with under a minute remaining.

Key Moments

• Go‑ahead bucket: With 12.3 seconds on the clock, Pioneers guard Jordan Vandenberg shook his defender with a crossover and sank a contested mid‑range jumper to make it 101–99.
• Hobart's final chance: After a timeout, the Chargers inbounded to import forward Tyler Jennings, who drew a foul with 2.1 seconds left. Jennings made the first free throw but missed the second. The rebound was tipped out of bounds, and the Pioneers called their final timeout with 0.4 seconds to inbound safely.
• Clutch defence: Mt Gambier's Tom Smith intercepted the inbound pass to seal the victory, sparking a wild celebration from the home bench.

Standout Players

Mt Gambier: Forward Caleb Hurst led all scorers with 29 points on 11‑of‑18 shooting, including four three‑pointers. He also grabbed 8 rebounds and dished 5 assists. Point guard Jack Thompson added 21 points and 10 assists, controlling the tempo for most of the night.

Hobart Chargers: Shooting guard Liam Baxter poured in 27 points, hitting 6 three‑pointers. Center Ben Taylor contributed 18 points and 14 rebounds, dominating the glass and keeping the Chargers in the game during the third quarter.

Season Impact

The win improves Mt Gambier’s record to 9‑5, keeping them in the top four of the NBL1 South standings. For Hobart (7‑7), the narrow loss is a tough pill to swallow but shows they can compete with the league’s best. The two sides will meet again in Hobart on June 12, a game now carrying extra significance.