Recap NBL1 East | Round 11 Saturday

Featured images: Aaron Camua | @aaron.camua

Isla Juffermans starred as the Newcastle Falcons beat the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in the NBL1 East, Glenn Morison again was huge as Canberra beat Maitland, and Mikayla Pivec, Tahlia Tupaea, Maddie O'Hehir, Biwali Bayles, Davo Hickey and Luke Fennell shone.

Saturday night's women's results saw the Newcastle Falcons beat the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 75-74, the Norths Bears defeat the Sydney Comets 91-53, the Penrith Panthers down the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders 86-56, and the Illawarra Hawks won 70-58 against the Centre of Excellence.

The Sutherland Sharks also defeated the Inner West Bulls 79-59 with the Canberra Nationals defeating the Maitland Mustangs 81-62, and the Albury-Wodonga Bandits downing the Hills Hornets 94-49.

The men's matches saw the Sea Eagles beat the Falcons 87-75, the Comets defeat the Bears 99-90, the Spiders down the Panthers 88-78, the Centre of Excellence won 105-100 over the Hawks, the Bulls defeated the Sharks 95-79, the Gunners beat the Mustangs 82-80 and the Bandits downed the Hornets 101-76.

RECAP NBL1 EAST | ROUND 10 SUNDAY

WOMEN

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (74) lost to Newcastle Falcons (75)

Who else but the reigning MVP Nicole Munger who hit the game winner for the Newcastle Falcons to grab back the lead at the buzzer to beat the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles 75-74.

It had all the hallmarks of being a cracking contest at Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre with the Sea Eagles sitting third at 10-3 and the Falcons hot on their hammer at 11-4 in fourth place.

It certainly didn’t disappoint as a spectacle but it was the visiting Newcastle on top for a lot of the evening including being up by five at quarter-time and still by that advantage at the half-time break.

The Falcons then took control completing a 16-0 scoring run in the third quarter to open up a 17-point advantage and to appear to have the game won.

Newcastle were still leading 66-52 by three quarter-time but Manly Warringah got on a roll in the final term to put themselves in a winning position.

It was a three-point bomb from Alex Delaney with five minutes to play that gave the Sea Eagles the lead thanks to an 18-2 start to the fourth quarter in a stunning turnaround.

Manly Warringah then kept the momentum going to be up by four thanks to Josie Bulman with just over two minutes to play, but Newcastle cut the deficit in half shortly after thanks to Elissa Brett.

In the end, it was a trademark bucket down low from reigning MVP Nicole Munger to put Newcastle back in front after Isla Juffermans forced the turnover on Bree Delaney.

That had the Falcons up by a point where they stayed with Alex Delaney unable to make the potential winner for the Sea Eagles at the buzzer after a timeout.

Newcastle improves to 12-4 on the season with the win to go into third place with Isla Juffermans huge with 20 points and 20 rebounds.

Nicole Munger also had 17 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals, Sophie Brennan 12 points, Elissa Brett 10 points, two boards and two assists, and Aarion Nichols eight points, nine rebounds, four steals and two assists.

The Sea Eagles are now 10-4 on the season following the loss with Bree Delaney ending up with 17 points, four rebounds and four assists with 4/11 three-point shooting.

Brooke Flowers added 13 points, 10 rebounds and five blocked shots with Josie Bulman contributing 11 points, 10 boards and seven assists, and Alex Delaney nine points, six rebounds and six assists.

The Sea Eagles will now host the Centre of Excellence next Saturday with Newcastle also at home to the Hills Hornets that same evening.

MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES 74 (B Delaney 17, Flowers 13, Bulman 11)

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 75 (Juffermans 20, Munger 17, Brennan 12)

Norths Bears (91) defeated Sydney Comets (53)

The defending champion Norths Bears consolidated their hold on second spot with Maddie O'Hehir outstanding again in the 91-53 home win over the Sydney Comets.

The Bears put their 11-game winning streak on the line at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre up against a Comets team still having won their past two games but being without Shyla Heal who is with the Australian Opals.

That meant it was a significant challenge for the Comets on the road to the reigning champions and that's how it panned out with the Bears opening up a 22-13 advantage already by quarter-time.

From there, Norths continued to build on their advantage to be leading by 15 points in the second quarter, 24 in the third and then finally 38 by the final buzzer.

The win improves the Bears to a 14-1 record on the season with a 12-game winning streak with Maddie O'Hehir again outstanding with 24 points, six assists and five rebounds on 9/14 shooting from the floor, 2/3 from downtown and 4/5 at the free-throw line.

Ae'Rianna Harris also had 21 points and 11 rebounds with Carla Pitman contributing 11 points, nine boards and five assists, and Emily Simons 10 points, six rebounds and two steals.

The Comets remain outside of a playoff position with a loss now sitting at 7-8 with Davida Dale doing all she could with 17 points, 12 rebounds, four steals and two assists.

Arisa Takamoto also had eight points, two rebounds and two assists, and Dylan-Jada Alexander eight points.

The Bears will host the Maitland Mustangs next Saturday while the Comets will be at home to the Hills Hornets in the rescheduled fixture on Friday night.

NORTHS BEARS 91 (O'Hehir 24, Harris 21, Pitman 11)

SYDNEY COMETS 53 (Dale 17, Takamoto 8, Alexander 8)

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (56) lost to Penrith Panthers (86)

The Penrith Panthers burst the bubble of the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders with Tahlia Tupaea lifting them to an emphatic 86-56 road victory.

The Spiders came into the match up on their home floor at The Brickpit on an impressive four-game winning streak while the Panthers were also trying to back up their last up win against the Maitland Mustangs.

Penrith got off to a hot start away from home with 23 points to 11 in the first quarter and they never looked back from there.

The lead for the Panthers only continued to grow throughout the rest of the evening with it getting out to 27 points in the second quarter, 32 in the third and they would go on and score the eventual 30-point victory.

The win improves Penrith to a 5-11 record having now won consecutive matches for the first time this season with Tahlia Tupaea again delivering a standout performance with 26 points, nine assists, seven rebounds and three blocks with 4/10 three-point shooting.

Chloe Williams also had 14 points, eight rebounds and four assists, Mia Heide 12 points, 17 boards and three assists, and Tatiana Beaumont 11 points and three assists on 3/6 long-range shooting.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai's four-game winning run comes to an end as they slip to 5-11 as a result with Ay'Anna Bey putting up 12 points and 11 rebounds with Jessie-May Hall adding 11 points, three boards and two steals.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai are next in action still at home against the Sydney Comets next Saturday with the Panthers to be hosting the Bankstown Bruins that same evening.

HORNSBY KU-RING-GAI SPIDERS 56 (Bey 12, Hall 11, Hudson 8)

PENRITH PANTHERS 86 (Tupaea 26, Williams 14, Heide 12)

Illawarra Hawks (70) defeated Centre of Excellence (58)

The Illawarra Hawks took advantage of a shorthanded Centre of Excellence team to score the 70-58 victory at home to keep their playoff hopes well and truly alive.

The Hawks might have been on a three-game losing streak but were still in touch of a top six spot as they hosted the CoE at The Snakepit on Saturday.

It was a Centre of Excellence team without Bonnie Deas, Monique Williams, Monique Bobongie, Jade Crook, Opal Bird and Sienna Harvey so it was always going to be a challenge for them to compete with the Hawks.

On the back of that, Illawarra started strongly with 21 points to 13 in the first quarter before then extending its advantage out to 16 points in the second period.

The Hawks would end up leading 40-26 by half-time with the lead then growing to 25 points in the second half before they scored the 12-point victory to stay in the playoff hunt with a 7-8 record.

Emilia Garcia Leon finished up top-scoring for Illawarra in the win with 15 points, five rebounds and three assists with Asha Phillips adding 12 points, five boards, three steals and two assists, Ebony Petre 11 points and two steals, and Ella Dent nine points, six rebounds, five assists and three steals.

The Centre of Excellence are now 10-8 following the defeat with only seven players suiting up with Daisy Nousis putting together 19 points, three steals, two rebounds and two assists.

Sitaya Fagan also had 14 points, 12 rebounds, five steals and two assists, and Zoe Jackson 12 points, four boards, three steals, two assists and two blocks.

The Centre of Excellence are back home to host the Maitland Mustangs on Sunday with the Hawks to play host to the Central Coast Crusaders next Saturday.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 70 (Garcia Leon 15, Phillips 12, Petre 11)

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE 58 (Nousis 19, Fagan 14, Jackson 12)

Sutherland Sharks (79) defeated Inner West Bulls (59)

The Sutherland Sharks started on fire to set up the eventual 79-59 win over the Inner West Bulls to maintain their hold over sixth position.

The Sharks came into the contest at Sutherland Basketball Stadium having won their past three matches to move into a spot in the top six but they did need to keep winning to stay there.

They were hosting an Inner West team having lost 11 straight to sit at the bottom of the standings, and the Sharks wasted no time working on top to already be leading 22-11 by quarter-time.

That lead continued to grow throughout the rest of the contest for Sutherland with it getting out to 15 points in the second quarter, 21 in the third and 24 in the fourth before they went on to score the 20-point victory.

The win keeps the Sharks in sixth spot with an 8-6 record having now won four in-a-row with Maddie Norris starring once more delivering 20 points and 10 rebounds on 7/13 shooting.

Aliza Fabbro also had 17 points, seven rebounds and two assists, Emily Garland 16 points and two assists, and Olivia White 14 points, 17 rebounds, five assists and two steals.

The Bulls have now lost 12 in-a-row to have a 1-15 record on the season with Margaret Robinson putting up 15 points, 18 rebounds and three steals.

Ai Matsumoto contributed 15 points and seven rebounds, and Bridie White nine points and three assists.

Sutherland are again at home on Sunday to host the Albury-Wodonga Bandits with the Bulls back at home to play the Central Coast Crusaders.

SUTHERLAND SHARKS 79 (Norris 20, Fabbro 17, Garland 16)

INNER WEST BULLS 59 (Robinson 15, Matsumoto 15, White 9)

Canberra Nationals (81) defeated Maitland Mustangs (62)

The Canberra Nationals kept in touch of a playoff position in the NBL1 East with the 81-62 home victory against the Maitland Mustangs.

Canberra came into the contest at Belconnen Basketball Stadium needing to keep winning to remain in the playoff hunt up against a Mustangs team having lost their past four matches.

It was a dominant start from the Nationals on their home floor with a 12-0 scoring run in the first quarter helping them to an 18-6 lead.

From there the advantage continued to grow for a lot of the match up for Canberra with the home team out to a 24-point lead in the second frame, 25 in the third and 28 in the fourth.

Maitland did finish strongly but the Nationals still ended up winning by 19 points to improve to a 7-10 record on the season.

Lizzy Tonks ended up top-scoring in the win for Canberra with 21 points and four rebounds on 9/14 shooting from the field with Callie Bourne contributing 17 points, six assists and three rebounds.

Maddison Penn also had 16 points, eight rebounds and three steals, and Caitlin Rowe 14 points, three boards and two steals.

The Mustangs have now lost five in-a-row at 4-11 despite Shakera Reilly top-scoring with 16 points and 11 rebounds while Sydney Hunter added 12 points and nine boards, and Natsumi Kohama 10 points and five assists.

The Mustangs remain in the nation's capital to play the Centre of Excellence on Sunday while Canberra remain at home against the Sutherland Sharks next Saturday.

CANBERRA NATIONALS 81 (Tonks 21, Bourne 17, Penn 16)

MAITLAND MUSTANGS 62 (Reilly 16, Hunter 12, Kohama 10)

Hills Hornets (49) lost to Albury-Wodonga Bandits (94)

The Albury-Wodonga Bandits put together another dominant performance to start their road double weekend with the 94-49 victory against the Hills Hornets.

The Bandits arrived at Hills Basketball Stadium putting their perfect record this season on the line up against a Hornets team still clinging to remaining in playoff contention.

Albury-Wodonga didn’t waste time working on top, though, and by quarter-time the visitors were leading 24-14.

It was another 23 points to 12 for the Bandits in the second quarter, 25 to 10 in the third and 22 to 13 in the fourth with them leading by as much as 47 points before securing the eventual 45-point victory.

The win improves Albury-Wodonga to a perfect 16-0 record on the season with Mikayla Pivec delivering 21 points, 15 rebounds and 11 assists for another stunning triple-double while also adding four steals and three blocked shots.

Unique Thompson also contributed 18 points and 12 rebounds, Elizabeth Murphy 16 points, five assists, three rebounds and two steals, Lauren Jackson 14 points and nine boards, and Awatea Leach 10 points and four rebounds.

The Hornets have now lost their past two matches to slip to a 5-8 record with Rachel McLimore top-scoring with 11 points and five assists.

Lucy Corke added nine points and six rebounds with three three-pointers while Hannah Griffin finished with eight points and five boards.

The Hornets back up on Sunday also at home to the Bankstown Bruins with the Bandits also having a short turnaround still on the road to the Sutherland Sharks.

HILLS HORNETS 49 (McLimore 11, Corke 9, Griffin 8)

ALBURY-WODONGA BANDITS 94 (Pivec 21, Thompson 18, Murphy 16)

MEN

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (87) defeated Newcastle Falcons (75)

Jonas Harper was on fire as the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles maintained a top three spot in the NBL1 East with the 87-75 home victory against the Newcastle Falcons.

The Sea Eagles put their three-game winning streak on the line at home at Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre against a Falcons team trying to bounce back from losing their past couple of games.

It was a tight contest in the first quarter with Manly Warringah just a point up at quarter-time before the Sea Eagles pulled away in the second period by going on an 11-0 scoring streak.

On the back of that, the home team were leading 48-41 by half-time with that lead growing to as much as 15 points in the second half before Manly Warringah went on to score the 12-point victory.

The win improves the Sea Eagles to an 11-3 record on the season with four straight wins now with Jonas Harper coming up huge hitting 5/7 from three-point range for 27 points and three steals.

Matthew Eldridge added 20 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists with Mason Bragg contributing 13 points, 14 assists, four rebounds and two steals, and Luke Schroeder eight points and two boards.

The Falcons slip to 5-11 with three losses in-a-row to fall further from the playoff mix with Myles Cherry doing all he could to keep them in the hunt with 29 points, nine rebounds and six assists on 13/15 shooting.

Kobe Shannon also had 19 points, four rebounds and three steals, Ryan Beisty 13 points, six boards and six assists, and Leo O'Boyle 10 points, 14 rebounds and five assists.

The Sea Eagles will now host the Centre of Excellence next Saturday with Newcastle also at home to the Hills Hornets that same evening.

MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES 87 (Harper 27, Eldridge 20, Bragg 13)

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 75 (Cherry 29, Shannon 19, Beisty 13)

Norths Bears (90) lost to Sydney Comets (99)

Biwali Bayles continued his hot form with another 42 points and nine assists to lead the Sydney Comets to a 99-90 road victory over the Norths Bears.

The two teams came into the match up at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre trying to enhance their playoff prospects with the Bears coming into it at 8-6 and the Comets at 7-7.

It had all the hallmarks of a season-defining match up with scores all level at 22-22 by quarter-time.

The Comets did begin to pull away in the second period with 26 points to 19 to see the visitors go into half-time leading 48-41, but by three quarter-time scores were locked away once more at 64-64.

That set the stage for a big final quarter and the Comets were gradually able to get on top again and with just under five minutes to play, Biwali Bayles attacked the basket to score and make it a seven-point ball game.

A couple of minutes later and Obi Kyei extended that to a nine-point lead for Sydney and that would be the margin by the end of the contest with the Comets winning to improve to 8-7 on the season.

Biwali Bayles had another spectacular night for the Comets finishing with 42 points, nine assists and five rebounds on shooting 16/30 from the floor, 2/5 from behind the arc and 8/8 at the charity stripe.

Obi Kyei also had 21 points, 14 rebounds and three steals with Christian Aukuso contributing 13 points, seven boards and four assists, and Matthew Wacher 10 points and three rebounds.

The Bears now slip to an 8-7 record with the loss with Mandrell Worthy finishing with 22 points, seven rebounds and five assists on 9/18 shooting.

Cooper Wilks added 20 points and three rebounds, Brennan Rymer 19 points, four assists and three steals, Robert Moore 11 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Michael Yoong 11 points.

The Bears will host the Maitland Mustangs next Saturday while the Comets will be at home to the Hills Hornets in the rescheduled fixture on Friday night.

NORTHS BEARS 90 (Worthy 22, Wilks 20, Rymer 19)

SYDNEY COMETS 99 (Bayles 42, Kyei 21, Aukuso 13)

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (88) defeated Penrith Panthers (78)

The Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders came from behind to make it consecutive victories with the 88-78 home win against the Penrith Panthers.

The Spiders broke through for a first win of the season last week Saturday against the Centre of Excellence ahead of being home at The Brickpit again up against a Penrith team having lost 11 in-a-row.

What was on the line was the loser would be a game clear in bottom spot following the contest as well and precious little separated them through the first three quarters.

The Panthers were leading narrowly by a point at quarter-time before extending that to a three-point lead at the main break, and then by three quarter-time it was Penrith clinging to a one-point advantage.

However, Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai took charge in the final period with 22 points to 11 to come from behind and score the eventual 10-point victory.

After losing the first 14 games of the season, the Spiders have now won two straight to get off the bottom of the standings with Aaron Redhead producing 22 points, eight rebounds and four steals.

Steven Hall also had 20 points, four rebounds and three assists while Brian Ansuh-Yeboah delivering 17 points, five steals, four boards and two assists, and Raymond Takchi 12 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two steals.

Penrith now slips to bottom spot at 1-15 with 12 consecutive defeats with Jaedyn Fetui-Fa'amoe putting up 21 points and seven rebounds with Caleb Fetui-Fa'amoe adding 14 points and nine boards.

Zeke Evans also had 13 points and 16 rebounds, Josh Kalwy 13 points and nine boards, and Ben Kearins 12 points and six assists.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai are next in action still at home against the Sydney Comets next Saturday with the Panthers to be hosting the Bankstown Bruins that same evening.

HORNSBY KU-RING-GAI SPIDERS 88 (Redhead 22, Hall 20, Ansuh-Yeboah 17)

PENRITH PANTHERS 78 (J Fetui-Fa'amoe 21, C Fetui-Fa'amoe 14, Evans 13, Kalwy 13)

Illawarra Hawks (100) lost to Centre of Excellence (105)

It was a cracking overtime contest and in the end Luke Fennell put up 34 points to help the Centre of Excellence overcome the 33 points from Riley Abercrombie for the Illawarra Hawks.

With the Centre of Excellence still trying to crack a top two finish and the Hawks out of the playoff race, there was nothing to suggest what was to come but in the end the two teams delivered one of the games of the NBL1 East season at The Snakepit.

The Centre of Excellence were able to open up a nine-point lead during the second quarter but the Hawks hit back with six straight points and by half-time the lead for the CoE was back to 44-39.

The CoE were back out to a nine-point lead in the third quarter again as well but Illawarra hit back once more and it was a game that ended up having a thrilling finish, and ended up needing an extra five minutes.

A Matthew Frierson three-pointer for Illawarra with 4:45 remaining in regulation pushed the Hawks out to a five-point lead but Emmett Adair responded in kind for the Centre of Excellence to cut it back to a two-point game.

Lachlan Dent and Luke Fennell then traded threes for their respective teams as well and ultimately it was two free throws from Fennell who levelled scores up at 85-85.

The Hawks had time for a timeout and to draw up one last play to get a look at a winning three ball from Frierson, but it wouldn’t fall and the game went into extra time.

It was a stunning extra five minutes of basketball with the two teams combining for 35 points but the Centre of Excellence took charge of the overtime. A dunk from Julius Halaifonua and three ball from Fennell saw them end up leading by eight points.

From there they went on to win by five and improve to 13-5 on the season as a result to stay in touch of a top four spot with Luke Fennell putting up 34 points and five assists on 4/6 three-point shooting.

Emmett Adair also had 18 points and 10 rebounds, Julius Halaifonua 18 points and nine boards, and Jacob Furphy 12 points, nine rebounds and three assists.

The Hawks did a lot right but still fell to a fourth straight loss to now be 2-13 on the season with Riley Abercrombie putting up 33 points and 11 rebounds.

Lachie Dent came in for 22 points and nine assists with Philip Dopud contributing 16 points and nine rebounds, Brad Ballinger 12 points and six boards, and Matthew Frierson 10 points, four rebounds, three assists and two steals.

The Centre of Excellence are back home to host the Maitland Mustangs on Sunday with the Hawks to play host to the Central Coast Crusaders next Saturday.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 100 (Abercrombie 33, Dent 22, Dopud 16)

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE 105 (Fennell 34, Adair 18, Halaifonua 18)

Sutherland Sharks (79) lost to Inner West Bulls (95)

The Inner West Bulls need to start a winning streak if they want to break into the top six and they took a step forward with the 95-79 win on the road over the reigning champion Sutherland Sharks.

Both the Sharks and Bulls are outside of a playoff position coming into the match up at Sutherland Basketball Stadium and both were coming off last up losses.

It was a fascinating first quarter with both teams going on scoring runs, but by quarter-time it was Sutherland leading 23-20.

Inner West turned the tide in the second quarter with 30 points to 19 and that saw the Bulls go into half-time leading 50-42.

Inner West were then able to take further control throughout the second half to lead by as much as 15 points in the third quarter and 20 in the fourth before securing the 16-point victory.

The win improves the Bulls to a 10-6 record on the season to remain in the playoff hunt with Alex Higgins-Titsha starring with 21 points, 12 rebounds, five assists, two steals and two blocked shots on 9/14 shooting.

Ramon Cao added 14 points, 11 rebounds and two assists while Jacob Ohmer contributed 19 points, five boards and four steals, Viliami Foketi 11 points, seven rebounds and two assists, and Zach Hudson seven points, nine boards and four assists.

It's now looking increasingly likely the Sharks miss the playoffs as defending champions sitting at 6-8 with Lochlan Hutchison finishing with 24 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Brian Williams also had 23 points, nine rebounds and three assists, Adrian Cabrera 13 points, five boards and two assists, Angus Lake six points, seven rebounds and four assists, and Geoff Gerlach six points and four assists.

Sutherland are again at home on Sunday to host the Albury-Wodonga Bandits with the Bulls back at home to play the Central Coast Crusaders.

SUTHERLAND SHARKS 79 (Hutchison 24, Williams 23, Cabrera 13)

INNER WEST BULLS 95 (Higgins-Titsha 21, Ohmer 19, Cao 14)

Canberra Gunners (82) defeated Maitland Mustangs (80)

They are currently the top two teams of 2024, they played one another in the 2022 Grand Final and they put on quite the show on Saturday night with the Canberra Gunners prevailing 82-80 at home to the Maitland Mustangs.

With a combined 27-3 record between them so far this NBL1 East season and having played one another in a memorable 2022 Grand Final that saw the Gunners claim the championship, the stage was set for the Round 11 match up at Belconnen Basketball Stadium.

It was a contest that wouldn’t disappoint with the winner to end up in top place so the stakes were significant.

On their home floor, it was the Gunners who built up an impressive lead to be on top 24-20 by quarter-time before then blowing the game open with 30 points to 16 in the second term to lead by as much as 18.

Canberra were on top 54-36 but Maitland stormed back into the contest in the third quarter by scoring 10 straight points, and the Mustangs would even briefly hit the front.

The lead then continued to change hands throughout a dramatic final quarter but it was a three-point play from Will Mayfield with less than 30 seconds to go after he stole the ball from reigning MVP Will Cranston-Lown that was the defining moment of the game.

That gave Canberra a three-point lead before Will Mortimore missed a three-point attempt for Maitland and then Cranston-Lown was only able to make 1/3 at the free-throw line.

That kept the Gunners leading by two points before James Toohey stretched the lead to four at the charity stripe and Canberra went on to win by two and take top position with a 15-2 record.

Glenn Morison was Grand Final MVP in that 2022 triumph and came up huge again for the Gunners with 29 points, nine rebounds, two assists and two blocked shots on 11/16 shooting.

Will Mayfield added 16 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals, James Toohey 11 points, three assists, three steals and two rebounds, Cameron Pentney eight points, four boards and two assists, and Derek Emelifeonwu six points, five assists and three rebounds.

The Mustangs are now 13-2 on the season following the ending of their six-game winning streak despite Daniel Millburn finishing with 19 points, two assists and two steals.

Will Mortimore contributed 14 points, seven rebounds and two steals, Will Cranston-Lown 10 points, 10 assists, eight steals and six boards, Matthew Gray nine points and seven rebounds, and Billy Parsons eight points, 10 boards, six assists and two steals.

The Mustangs remain in the nation's capital to play the Centre of Excellence on Sunday while Canberra remain at home against the Sutherland Sharks next Saturday.

CANBERRA GUNNERS 82 (Morison 29, Mayfield 16, Toohey 11)

MAITLAND MUSTANGS 80 (Millburn 19, Mortimore 14, Cranston-Lown 10)

Hills Hornets (76) lost to Albury-Wodonga Bandits (101)

The Albury-Wodonga Bandits consolidated their top six position with a thumping 101-76 win over the Hills Hornets with Davo Hickey delivering 30 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, six steals and four blocks.

The Bandits arrived at Hills Basketball Stadium needing to keep winning to stay inside the top six in the NBL1 East while the Hornets themselves had moved just above Albury-Wodonga in the standings thanks to three straight wins.

That set the stage for a potentially season-defining match up for both teams but it didn’t take the Bandits long to take control racing to a 13-point lead in the first quarter.

Albury-Wodonga would end up leading 31-18 by quarter-time and the Bandits were just warming up as they blew the game open further with a 23-point lead in the second term.

The visitors would end up leading 56-39 by half-time and from there the Bandits would go on to score the 25-point victory to improve to an 11-5 record on the season to stay inside the top six.

Davo Hickey was the star of the evening once more for Albury-Wodonga with the Illawarra Hawks NBL guard delivering 30 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists, six steals and four blocks on 10/21 shooting from the field, 3/7 from downtown and 7/9 at the free-throw line.

Lochlan Cummings also contributed 17 points, six rebounds and two assists for the Bandits, Kevion Blaylock 14 points and nine boards, Shawn Montague 13 points, five rebounds, five assists and three blocks, Mitch Dance 12 points and five boards, and Jack Saunders 12 points on 4/6 three-point shooting.

The Hornets' winning run comes to and end as they slip to an 8-5 record with Chris Bryant fighting hard and putting up 27 points, 10 rebounds and two steals.

Saxon Orsini also contributed 13 points and six rebounds, Jamie Munro 12 points and three boards, and Liam Moss nine points and four rebounds.

The Hornets back up on Sunday also at home to the Bankstown Bruins with the Bandits also having a short turnaround still on the road to the Sutherland Sharks.

HILLS HORNETS 76 (Bryant 27, Orsini 13, Munro 12)

ALBURY-WODONGA BANDITS 101 (Hickey 30, Cummings 17, Blaylock 14)