East Wrap | Women's First Nations Round

Featured image: @Damianclarkshoots

Emily Lytle had 48 points, 14 rebounds and 12 assists over two Albury Wodonga Bandits wins in NBL1 East First Nations Round while Jade Kirisome scored 38 with seven threes for Hills Hornets and Chantel Horvat delivered 34 points and 12 rebounds for Sydney Comets.

>> EAST SPOTLIGHT | HORVAT DOMINATES IN BIG COMETS WIN

>> EAST SPOTLIGHT | SEA EAGLES SET UP BATTLE FOR TOP SPOT

>> ON THE PATH TO THE NATIONAL FINALS

SATURDAY

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (92) defeated Sutherland Sharks (52)

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles held up their end to set up Friday night's top spot battle with the Norths Bears by beating the Sutherland Sharks 92-52.

The Sea Eagles were back home on Saturday at Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre having won nine straight matches to be just one game behind the Bears in second place while the Sharks had lost their past five and continued to be without Lauren Nicholson.

Despite Manly Warringah opened up a 24-point lead in the second quarter, Sutherland showed some fight to be back within 13 by the half.

But it was then all the Sea Eagles in the second half outscoring the Sharks 49 points to 22 to romp to the 40-point victory to improve to 17-1 with 10 wins in-a-row with Sutherland now 6-10 having lost six straight.

Bree Delaney started on fire with 15 points in the first half and finished with 21 with four rebounds, three assists and three steals for the Sea Eagles.

Alex Delaney also had 13 points and five rebounds, Kim Dickinson 12 points and six boards, Jayda Jansen 12 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals, Sari Mowbray 11 points, two assists and two steals, and Zoey Miller 11 points, four rebounds, four assists and four steals.

The Sharks have now lost the six in-a-row with Abi Curtin finishing with 12 points, 10 rebounds and two assists, Olivia Douglas 11 points and six boards, Courtney West 10 points and seven rebounds, and Maddy Norris seven points, five boards and three assists.

Hills Hornets (101) defeated Maitland Mustangs (80)

Eighth position went on the line and it was the Hills Hornets proving too strong beating the Maitland Mustangs 101-82 on the back of 38 points from Jade Kirisome.

Coming into the round and both teams were locked on identical 8-8 records with Maitland sitting eighth and Hills ninth so who ever prevailed at Hills Basketball Stadium would be occupying a top eight position.

The Hornets were narrowly leading 24-23 by quarter-time before 30 points to 23 in the second frame to go into the main break leading 54-46.

Then Hills delivered 27 points to 12 in the final quarter to end scoring the crucial 21-point victory to improve to a 9-8 record to leap ahead of the now 8-9 Mustangs.

Jade Kirisome ultimately was the difference finishing with 38 points, eight rebounds and three assists with 8/12 three-point shooting in a spectacular performance.

Sherrie Calleia added 24 points, 16 rebounds, nine assists and three steals with Kennedy Johnson contributing 16 points, six boards and two blocks, Piper Anderson 10 points, five assists and three rebounds, and Brooke Bjelko eight points, eight assists and three points.

Kasey Neubert delivered 17 points, 16 rebounds and five assists for Maitland with Rachel Williams adding 16 points, five assists and two boards, and Shakera Reilly 16 points, three steals and two rebounds with 4/9 shooting from behind the arc.

Jess Finney added 14 points, four rebounds and three assists, and Sara Matthews 14 points, three boards and two assists.

Inner West Bulls (41) lost to Newcastle Falcons (102)

Meg Jefferson had 25 points and Mia Heide 27 rebounds as the Newcastle Falcons annihilated the Inner West Bulls 102-41 to keep their top four aspirations alive.

The Bulls were back home at Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatics Centre still hunting that elusive first win of the season while the Falcons got back to winning last week against the Penrith Panthers and were looking to keep that going.

It didn’t take long for Newcastle to take control leading by 16 points in the first quarter, 32 in the second, 40 in the third and ending up winning by 61 to improve to an 11-6 record and remain a top four hope.

There were some remarkable plus-minus numbers with Mia Heide finishing up +49 for the Falcons, Kate Kingham +46, Meg Jefferson +42 and Nicole Munger +41 while Holly Keeble was +23 in 11 minutes and Rose Bond +24 in 13 minutes.

Opposed to that, Llianna Jacob was -61 for Inner West, Seehia Ridard -59, Mizuki Wakamatsu -54 and Ai Matsumoto -54.

Jefferson finished with 25 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals in the win for Newcastle with Munger adding 23 points, 13 boards and six assists, and Heide 16 points, 27 rebounds, five assists, five blocks and two steals.

Kingham also had 16 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, and Claudea Waihape-Andrews 12 points, seven rebounds and two assists.

Ridard top scored for the Bulls with 14 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals with Mizuki Wakamatsu adding 10 points, four boards, three steals and two assists, and Jennifer Mailei eight points.

Central Coast Crusaders (64) lost to Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (79)

The Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders maintained their hold on a playoff position with the 79-64 win away to the Central Coast Crusaders.

The Crusaders were back home at Guzman y Gomez Stadium hunting a third win of the season up against a Spiders team needing a win to ensure they remain in the top eight by the end of the round.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai were just clinging to the 21-20 advantage by quarter-time and then it was still just a one-point lead by half-time, and only a three-point edge by three quarter-time.

But it was in the fourth quarter when the Spiders made their move with 25 points to 13 on the way to the 15-point victory to improve to a 10-7 record and snap their three-game losing slide.

Ay'Anna Bey produced 23 points, 10 rebounds, two assists and two steals on 10/16 shooting for Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai with Kristina Moore delivering 14 points, six assists, five steals and four rebounds, Dalla Walker 12 points on 4/5 three-point shooting, and Lucy Mead eight points, seven rebounds, seven assists and two steals.

Central Coast have now lost six straight to be 2-16 with Leila Heffernan finishing with 20 points, eight rebounds and two steals with 5/11 shooting from downtown.

Nikki Worner added 14 points, four rebounds and two steals, Bronte Moore 10 points, five boards, four assists and four steals, and Tristan Blacks 12 rebound to go with three assists and two blocked shots.

Illawarra Hawks (64) lost to Albury Wodonga Bandits (76)

The Albury Wodonga Bandits continued their charge towards the finals with a fourth straight win beating the Illawarra Hawks 76-64.

The Bandits arrived in Wollongong to take on the Hawks having won their past three to be a game clear inside a playoff position ahead of taking on an Illawarra team on a four-game losing slide.

Albury Wodonga were only leading by a point at quarter-time but then had 29 points to 20 in the second quarter to go into half-time leading 47-37.

The Bandits were able to convert that into the 12-point victory to improve to a 10-7 record with four consecutive wins with another standout performance from Emily Lytle with 29 points, four rebounds and two assists.

Unique Thompson also had 18 points, 11 rebounds and three assists, Last-Tear Poa 10 points, eight boards, six assists and four steals, and Melanie Kirby six points, three assists and two steals.

The Hawks have now lost five straight to be 5-11 with Una Jovanovich finishing with 17 points, three rebounds and two assists with Asha Phillips adding 13 points, seven boards and two assists.

Sophie Johnston added 13 points, two rebounds and two assists, Darcy Rees nine points, 16 boards and three assists, and Ruby MacDonald eight points, 12 rebounds and two steals.

Bankstown Bruins (83) defeated Penrith Panthers (57)

The Bankstown Bruins shook off a weekend of losing to the top two teams by hitting back emphatically beating the Penrith Panthers 83-57.

The Bruins hadn’t lost this season or last with Shyla Heal in the line-up until last week when they lost to both the Norths Bears and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles in less than 24 hours.

They were back home at Bankstown Basketball Stadium taking on a Panthers team with just two wins for the season and the Bruins wasted no time getting out some of their frustration with a 29-point to 11 first quarter.

Bankstown then went into half-time leading 47-26 and then went on to complete the 26-point win from there to get back on the winner's list and improve to a 13-4 record as a result to stay solid in the top four.

Tahlia Tupaea took charge for the Bruins to finish with 20 points, nine rebounds, three steals and two assists with Margot De Freitas contributing 10 points and six boards, Shyla Heal 10 points and seven assists, Jane Dunlop nine points on 3/9 three-point shooting, and Sienna Allie nine points, three boards and two steals.

Penrith are now 2-14 following the defeat with Tatiana Beaumont ending up with 12 points, 10 rebounds, four assists and two blocked shots.

Lauren Martin also had 10 points and three rebounds, Sofia Hunt 10 points and nine boards, Meleke Jenkins six points and three rebounds, and Chloe Williams eight rebounds, three assists and three steals.

Canberra Nationals (77) lost to Norths Bears (93)

The Norths Bears ensured they will head into Friday night's clash with the defending champions undefeated with the 93-77 road victory against the Canberra Nationals.

The Bears might have been undefeated upon arrival at Southern Cross Stadium but it was always going to be a tricky affair with Canberra fighting for their playoff lives and having won four straight to be building some momentum.

Scores were all square at 25-25 by quarter-time before Canberra had 24 points to 19 in the second term to go into half-time on top 49-44.

Norths turned things around emphatically in the second half with 27 points to 16 in the third quarter and 22 to 12 to outscore the Nationals 49-28 after half-time for the 16-point victory.

Norths stay perfect at 17-0 ahead of taking on the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on Friday night with Tayla Brugler delivering 34 points, 14 rebounds and three assists with 12/19 shooting from the field, 3/6 from three-point territory and 7/7 at the foul line.

Issy Morgan added 16 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals, Emma Donnelly 12 points and nine boards, Jaz Shelley 12 points, six assists, four steals and two rebound, and Peggy Schell eight points and two assists.

Canberra remain outside a playoff spot now at 8-10 with Allison Day providing 21 points, four rebounds and four assists with Caitie Jones adding 20 points, five assists and four rebounds, Callie Bourne 16 points, 14 boards and three assists, and Zara Funnell 16 points on 3/4 three-point shooting.

SUNDAY

Penrith Panthers (66) lost to Albury Wodonga Bandits (97)

The Albury Wodonga Bandits maintained their momentum with a fifth straight win beating the Penrith Panters 97-66on the back of triple doubles from both Last-Tear Poa Emily Lytle.

The Bandits made it the four wins in-a-row on Saturday winning on the road to the Illawarra Hawks ahead of taking on the Panthers at Minto Indoor Sports Centre who had lost the previous evening to the Bankstown Bruins.

Albury Wodonga made a strong start with 30 points to 21 in the first quarter before another 24 to 16 in the second term on the way to leading 54-37.

Albury Wodonga then finished with 27 points to 11 in the last quarter to complete the 31-point victory to make it five wins in-a-row and improve to an 11-7 record.

Unique Thompson top scored with 26 points and 12 rebounds on 12/16 shooting but it was Emily Lytle who was huge especially once more with a triple double made up of 19 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists.

Last-Tear Poa then also had a triple double consisting of 14 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists with Emma Mahady contributing 11 points, three rebounds and two assists.

Penrith are now 2-15 with three consecutive defeats with Sofia Hunt finishing with 20 points and six rebounds on 3/5 three-point shooting.

Chanel Bastin also had 17 points and five assists on shooting 3/7 from downtown with Tatiana Beaumont contributing eight points, 10 rebounds and six assists, and Lauren Martin eight points and five boards.

Inner West Bulls (49) lost to Sutherland Sharks (104)

The Sutherland Sharks snapped a six-game losing streak and heaped more pain on the hapless Inner West Bulls with the 104-49 victory with Courtney West putting up 27 points.

The Bulls were back home at Concord Recreation Centre still searching for a first win of the season and having lost to the Newcastle Falcons by 61 points the previous night while the Sharks had all but slipped from playoff contention by losing the last five.

The Sharks were still without Lauren Nicholsson but had gone on an 11-0 run to lead by that margin at quarter-time before stretching that advantage to 52-37 by half-time.

It was then an even more dominant second half from Sutherland outscoring Inner West 52 points to 12 to romp to the eventual 55-point victory to snap their losing run to improve to a 7-10 record.

Courtney West was the standout for the Sharks with 27 points, eight rebounds and four blocks on 12/13 field goal shooting.

Abi Curtin also had 20 points, nine rebounds, three assists and two steals with Maddy Norris adding 16 points, seven rebounds and five assists, Ella Dent 12 points, three boards, three assists and three steals, and Jordyn Dewhurst 11 points and five assists on 3/5 three-point shooting.

The Bulls have now lost all 18 games so far of the season with Seehia Ridard finishing with 17 points and nine rebounds on 6/25 shooting.

Mizuki Wakamatsu also had 12 points and two rebounds, Ai Matsumoto eight points, six boards and five assists on 3/18 shooting, and Llianna Jacob six points, two rebounds and two steals.

Illawarra Hawks (71) lost to Sydney Comets (87)

Chantel Horvat was a dominant presence with 34 points and 12 rebounds to lead the Sydney Comets to back-to-back wins beating the Illawarra Hawks 87-71.

The Comets arrived at The Snakepit making their only appearance of the weekend coming off a win against the Inner West Bulls with the Hawks having lost five straight including on Saturday also at home to the Albury Wodonga Bandits.

Illawarra stayed in the contest with five threes in the first quarter but Sydney took over from there to lead by nine points at half-time, by 12 at three quarter-time and ending up winning by 16 to improve to a 5-12 record with the Hawks now 5-12.

Chantel Horvat had a huge showing for the Comets made up of 34 points, 12 rebounds and two assists with 14/27 field goal shooting.

Mikayla Pirini also finished with 15 points, 13 assists and six rebounds, Eryn Fisher 14 points, seven boards and four steals, Marley Sialeipata seven points and two steals, Elle Fletcher seven points, and Alexandra Kayrouz six points, eight rebounds and two steals.

The Hawks have now lost the six straight games despite Asha Phillips finishing with 20 points, six rebounds, five assists and two steals with Una Jovanovich adding 13 points, three assists and two boards.

Darcy Rees contributed 13 points, 13 rebounds and two blocks, and Tazmin Fulcher 11 points and three boards.