Feature images via: Greg Francis and Viesther Rex Bergas
In the first of a home-and-home series between Canberra and the Centre of Excellence, check out what happened tonight below:
WOMEN
Canberra Nationals (82) defeated by Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (87)
The Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence edged out Canberra 87-82 on Thursday evening at the AIS Basketball and Netball Centre.
In the first of two games between the clubs this week, the CoE showcased their offensive prowess. Thanks largely to Monique Bobongie's standout performance with a whopping 35 points, including eight triples. The team excelled from beyond the arc, hitting 45.8 percent of their three-point attempts and maintaining a solid field goal percentage at 50.
Is Amelia Motz playing the right sport? ?
— NBL1 (@NBL1) June 6, 2024
Watch the NBL1 East via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/q9NWFGw6ZY
Canberra, despite the loss, put up a valiant fight. Lizzy Tonks led their scoring with 18 points, contributing solidly from both inside and outside the paint. However, their shooting efficiency lagged behind the CoE, with a 30 per cent field goal percentage. On the positive side, the Nationals forced multiple scoring opportunities, causing 16 turnovers and scoring 15 points from them.
CoE 87 (Monique Bobongie 35, Emilija Dakic 12, Opal Bird 9).
Canberra 82 (Lizzy Tonks 18, Callie Bourne 17, Maddison Penn 14).
The Centre of Excellence will play the Nationals again tomorrow, from 8:00pm local time live and free via Kayo Freebies.
MEN
Canberra Gunners (99) defeated Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence (68)
The Canberra Gunners clinched a resounding victory over the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence, securing a 99-68 win on Thursday night at the AIS Basketball and Netball Centre.
Canberra was on fire, with Lachlan Smith leading the way off the bench with 20 points, supported by Glenn Morison and Cameron Pender who each added 13 points. Their offensive efficiency was outstanding, hitting 47.4 per cent from the field and an impressive 38.9 per cent from beyond the arc. Defensively, they were just as dominant, snagging 44 rebounds and 11 steals, helping to keep the CoE at bay.
William Mayfield rises up for the powerful fast-break slam! ?
— NBL1 (@NBL1) June 6, 2024
Watch NBL1 East via https://t.co/NEk1I7kaV8 or the NBL1 App ? & ? pic.twitter.com/ithHVxf5Lk
On the other side, BA CoE struggled to find their rhythm. Ajak Nyuon was the top scorer with 15 points, but the team as a whole couldn't match Canberra's intensity. They shot only 38.5 per cent from the field while no other player scored in double-digits (five players average over 10 for the season). Turnovers were also a pain point for CoE, giving up the ball 15 times and allowing 17 points from them.
CANBERRA 99 (Lachlan Smith 20, Glenn Morison 13, Cameron Pender 13).
BA COE 68 (Ajak Nyuon 15, Sebastien Emenalo 9, Nash Walker 8).
The Gunners will now host the CoE tomorrow, from 6:00pm local time live and free via Kayo Freebies.
