NBL1 South Recap - Round 11 Saturday - NW Thunder Defeat Ladder Leader Knox Raiders

North West Tasmania Thunder (97) defeated Knox Raiders (86)

The North West Tasmania Thunder made it consecutive wins for the first time in 2025 with the 97-86 home win against the league-leading and defending National Champion Knox Raiders.

Knox started their Tasmania double-header with the win on Friday night against the Hobart Chargers ahead of taking on the Thunder on Saturday at Harcourts Stadium.

North West were fresh off beating Geelong United last Sunday and were looking to cause the upset on their home floor six nights later.

The scores were level at 20-20 by the end of the opening quarter with the Thunder then opening up a 16-point lead in the second term and going into the half-time break on top 48-32.

North West Tasmania would then end up leading by 23 points in the third quarter and then held out the fast finishing Knox who did go on a 12-0 run to still score the eventual 11-point victory.

The victory improves the Thunder to a 5-10 record with back-to-back wins with Lachlan Barker producing 29 points, four assists, three rebounds and three steals on 6/11 three-point shooting.

Kye Savage also produced 23 points on 4/9 shooting from downtown with Archie Woodhill adding 14 points and 10 rebounds, Isaac Atuer 13 points and five assists, and Avery Sullivan 11 points, nine rebounds and three blocked shots.

Knox do remain clear in top spot at 14-3 having split their Tasmanian double this weekend with Tad Dufelmeier top-scoring with 22 points, nine rebounds, four assists and four steals.

Henry Sewell also had 19 points and six rebounds, Keli Leaulepe 17 points, seven boards, three assists and three steals, and Bryaon Blake 10 points and nine rebounds.

NORTH WEST TASMANIA THUNDER 97 (Barker 29, Savage 23, Woodhill 14)

KNOX RAIDERS 86 (Dufelmeier 22, Sewell 19, Leaulepe 17)