THE Ipswich Force have built their 2026 NBL1 North campaign on depth, balance and the ability to stretch opponents across the floor, and those credentials were strengthened on Saturday night as they defeated the Sunshine Coast Phoenix 86-81 in a sudden-death qualifying final to book a place in the semi-finals.
Missing Australian 3×3 representative Sam “Smack” McDaniel, who is competing at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, the Force leaned on their experienced core to overcome one of the competition’s toughest road assignments at Maroochydore Stadium.
With the Force leading by as many as 25 points midway through the third quarter, the Phoenix exploded with a 30-point final term to set up a tense finish.
Ipswich’s experienced starting five again shouldered a bulk of the offensive load, combining for 84 of the team’s 86 points.
Lachlan Anderson led all scorers with 25 points and seven rebounds, knocking down four three-pointers despite attracting constant defensive attention.
Former NBL star Lamar Patterson delivered another complete performance with 23 points, nine rebounds, seven assists and two steals, while Merrick Small controlled the paint with 18 points and nine rebounds.
Captain Jason Ralph once again orchestrated the offence superbly, finishing with 11 points, seven assists and six rebounds, while Will Mahoney contributed seven points, five rebounds and his trademark defensive pressure.
Ralph praised the group’s resilience after surviving the late Sunshine Coast charge.
“Huge team effort. Onto the next one,” he said.
That next assignment will be the Force’s toughest test of the season as they travel to tropical North Queensland on Saturday night to face the undefeated Cairns Marlins in the NBL1 North semi-final, with tip-off for 8pm at Trinity Ford Stadium.
The appearance in the final four marks another significant step in the club’s revival under head coach Colby Stefanovic.
After winning the 2023 NBL1 North championship in a three-game series over the Gold Coast Rollers, the Force endured a rebuilding period, finishing 10th in 2024 and seventh last season with only Ralph and Small remaining from that championship-winning side.
Now they stand just one win away from another grand final appearance, with the competition’s only unbeaten side standing between Ipswich and a return to the decider.
