SINGAPORE INDOOR STADIUM, SINGAPORE – The NBA G League United squeaked past the Tasmania JackJumpers, earning a tight 76-74 win to advance to the title game of the FIBA Intercontinental Cup 2024 Saturday afternoon here.

The Americans overcame the tough challenge from the Australians who were playing back-to-back following their win vs Lebanese side Al Riyadi yesterday.

The G League Squad led by nine at the half, 44-35, as they shot 45 percent from the field.

However, Tasmania had a furious second-half run behind American imports Milton Doyle and Jordon Crawford. The 5’6 guard hit a big three with under two minutes left to give the JackJumpers a 72-68 lead.

GLU’s Brodric Thomas answered with a three to tie the game at 72-all, but Crawford once again showed up for Tasmania by scoring another clutch bucket in isolation with under a minute left – a running hook shot in the middle to give his team the lead, 74-72.

In the end, Thomas was the hero for United. First, he got fouled on a three and made 2 of 3 FTs to tie the game at 74-74. In the next possession, Doyle turned the ball over gave GLU back the ball, and then he got fouled on a drive again. Thomas made two more clutch free throws for United’s two-point advantage.

United broke the JackJumpers’ play supposed to be set on the post for center Will Magnay for the final tally. 

Former NBA player Charlie Brown Jr. put up 23 points on 6/11 shooting to spearhead GLU’s attack while Thomas and Deonte Burton added 12 and 11 markers respectively.

“We got a little shaky sometimes but that’s what great teams do – they win games,” Juan Toscano-Anderson, who scored just 7 points but was instrumental on defense, said post-game. “We figured out a way to win, ugly win or pretty win: still a win.”

NBA G League United will now face Spanish side Unicaja for tomorrow’s title game. Unicaja have also booked their place in the Finals after securing their second win yesterday.

The Tasmania JackJumpers will face Al Riyadi in the third-place match after the latter’s win in the second game vs Angola’s Petro de Luanda, 80-75.