Majok Deng's missed free throw in the dying seconds has allowed South East Melbourne Phoenix to escape with a surprise 86-85 NBL win over the Tasmania JackJumpers at John Cain Arena.
The Phoenix led Saturday night's thrilling clash by two points when their import Gary Browne's missed floater with 10 seconds remaining ended in a loose-ball scrap and Deng, after collecting the ball, was fouled by Mitch Creek.
Deng, a reliable 82.6 per cent foul shooter across his career, swished his first attempt with 3.4 seconds on the clock but his second shot rimmed out and was rebounded to safety by Creek.
"We don't need to pick up Majok - he's a grown man and we love him," JackJumpers coach Scott Roth said.
"I wouldn't want anyone at the foul line other than him."
Browne (20 points) and Creek (16) played pivotal roles in lowly Phoenix's toppling of the ladder leaders.
Diminutive import Jordon Crawford (27 points) led the JackJumpers' charge, waging an engrossing backcourt duel with Browne.
"It came down to one possession and it was a bit of a grind," Phoenix coach Mike Kelly said.
"Both teams played super hard and went at each other.
"A good fight ... our guys kept going."
Milton Doyle gave Tasmania a 5-0 headstart before Clint Steindl and Crawford caught fire from the perimeter to pushed them ahead 18-10 late in the opening stanza.
The JackJumpers' early advantage vanished in the second term through turnovers as Phoenix upped the defensive pressure.
Scores were locked away at 43-all at half-time before Browne caught fire in the third to give South East Melbourne a 68-64 three-quarter-time edge.
The 168cm Crawford, who had 17 first-half points before being silenced in that third period, got motoring again to start the fourth, which he started with a baseline jumper and a three-pointer to put the Jackies back in front.
Browne piloted a 12-3 response before triples from Doyle and Crawford kept the visitors in the hunt right to the finish.
"I felt like we hung in there and kept swinging," Roth said.
"I was really proud of them. I'm not too upset."
