East Wrap | Women's Round 12

Featured image: @Damianclarkshoots

Norths Bears and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles both beat Bankstown Bruins in NBL1 East Round 12 while Callie Bourne and Last-Tear Poa had triple doubles for Canberra Nationals and Albury Wodonga Bandits, and Chantel Horvat 39 and 17 for Sydney Comets.

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SATURDAY

Hills Hornets (91) defeated Illawarra Hawks (61)

The Hills Hornets made it three straight wins to further close in on a top eight position with the 91-61 win against the Illawarra Hawks.

The Hornets came into the home clash at Hills Basketball Stadium having won their past couple of games ahead of hosting the Hawks who had lost three in-a-row.

It was a strong start from Hills with 20 points to 10 in the opening term before another 26 to 19 in the second period to go into the half-time interval leading 46-29.

That lead continued to grow for the Hornets in the second half leading by as much as 24 points in the third stanza, and 34 in the fourth before the eventual 30-point victory.

That's three straight wins now for Hills as they improve to an 8-8 record with Ella Gale finishing with 20 points and 10 rebounds with a perfect 4/4 three-point shooting.

Piper Anderson added 17 points, three assists and two rebounds while going 3/5 from beyond the arc with Jade Kirisome contributing 13 points, five assists and two rebounds, Kennedy Johnson 12 points, six boards, four assists and two steals, and Sherrie Calleia 11 points, eight assists, four rebounds and two blocked shots.

Illawarra are now 5-10 with four consecutive defeats with Una Jovanovich finishing with 18 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals with Sophie Johnston adding 15 points with 5/8 three-point shooting.

Asha Phillips added 10 points, seven rebounds and five assists, and Darcy Rees nine points and 11 boards.

Bankstown Bruins (88) lost to Norths Bears (90)

It was billed as the game of the season and it's going to take some beating with Shyla Heal brilliant with 40 points for the Bankstown Bruins but ultimately, she tasted her first defeat with Issy Morgan shining for the Norths Bears who prevailed 90-88.

Both teams came into the match up at Bankstown Basketball Stadium in hot form with the Bruins having won 11 straight and not having lost with Heal in their uniform either last season or this year.

The Bears then arrived having won all 15 of their matches so far in 2026 so the stage was set and at no point was there more than eight points separating the two teams throughout a cracking contest.

In the end, after Heal hit a huge three with just over a minute left to put Bankstown back up two, the Bears did score the game's last four points and then held on in a dramatic finish with the best accidental block you'll ever see from Talya Brugler on Margot De Freitas secured the win.

The result means that the Bears go further clear in top spot at 16-0 while the Bruins are 12-3 and face the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles on Sunday.

Morgan ended up being the star of the win for Norths with 30 points with 11 rebounds, three steals and two assists on 12/18 shooting from the field, 3/7 from downtown, and 3/3 at the foul line.

Jaz Shelley had not made a field goal for six points in the first half but finished with 23 points to go with eight assists, six rebounds, three steals and three blocks with 3/12 shooting from downtown.

Talya Brugler also had 21 points, 11 rebounds and three steals, and Caitlyn Martin 10 points.

Bankstown might have had a first loss in 12 games and Heal might have tasted defeated for the first time over last season and this one, but she did all she could with 40 points, seven rebounds and five assists with 13/26 shooting from the floor, 4/9 from deep and 10/11 at the foul line.

Margot De Freitas worked into the game after a hectic week coming back from France with 18 points, eight rebounds and two assists with Tahlia Tupaea adding 12 points, six boards, four assists and three steals.

Newcastle Falcons (57) lost to Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (67)

It took until the last quarter for the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles to take charge against the Newcastle Falcons for the 67-57 win to set up their Sunday match up with the Bankstown Bruins.

The Falcons were back home at Newcastle Basketball Stadium having lost three of their past four matches ahead of hosting a Sea Eagles team arriving on a seven-game winning streak in second position.

Manly Warringah went on an 11-0 run in the first quarter on the way to leading 22-15 by quarter-time before still being on top 35-30 by half-time but then Newcastle fired back with an 8-0 run in the third period to grab the lead.

The Falcons were leading by as much as five points and then scores were all level by three quarter-time before the Sea Eagles responded with 19 points to nine in the last quarter on the way to the 10-point victory.

The win improves Manly Warringah to a 15-1 record with eight consecutive wins with Zoey Miller top scoring with 21 points with five assists, two blocked shots and two rebounds on 4/8 three-point shooting.

Jayda Jansen also had 12 points, six assists and three rebounds, Sari Mowbray 11 points and six boards, Kim Dickinson seven points and five rebounds, and Josie Radan seven points and five boards.

Newcastle are now 9-6 with losing their past two with Meg Jefferson finishing with 11 points and 11 rebounds with Nicole Munger adding 10 points, eight boards and four steals.

Rose Bond also had 10 points, four rebounds and two assists, Kate Kingham nine points, three boards and three steals, and Mia Heide eight points, 10 rebounds, three blocked shots and two assists.

Maitland Mustangs (89) defeated Central Coast Crusaders (42)

The Maitland Mustangs consolidated their hold on a playoff position with the fourth consecutive win with a dominant 89-42 victory at home to the Central Coast Crusaders.

The Mustangs had momentum with the three wins in-a-row ahead of hosting the Crusaders at Mojo Homes Centre who had lost their past four games.

The Mustangs scored 11 straight points on the way to the 23-12 lead by quarter-time before another 27 points to eight in the second period on the way to leading 50-20 by half-time.

It was then another 20 points to 12 in the third frame for Maitland and 19 to 10 in the fourth on the way to the eventual 47-point victory to make it four on the trot to improve to an 8-8 record.

Jess Finney top scored with 22 points, five rebounds, four assists and two steals for the Mustangs with 8/12 shooting from the floor, 3/6 from downtown and 3/3 at the foul line.

Shakera Reilly added 20 points, four rebounds and two steals for Maitland, Rachel Williams 11 points, four boards and three assists, and Kasey Neubert 10 points, 13 rebounds, three assists, two steals and two blocked shots.

Central Coast have lost five in-a-row to be 2-15 with Darneka Rowe finishing with 14 points and five rebounds with Leila Hefferman adding 10 points, five boards and two steals, Nikki Worner eight points, three rebounds and two steals, and Tristan Black 14 boards with four assists and three steals.

Sydney Comets (100) defeated Inner West Bulls (84)

The Sydney Comets snapped a seven-game losing slide with Chantel Horvat dominant with 39 points and 17 rebounds in the 100-84 home victory against the Inner West Bulls 100-84.

Both teams came into the match up at Comets Stadium looking to get back that winning feeling with Sydney having lost seven straight and Inner West all 15 matches so far in 2026.

The Comets then got on top earl with 25 points to 15 in the first quarter before another 27 to 24 in the second on the way to leading 52-39 by half-time.

Sydney then went on to lead by as much as 20 points in the second half to end up scoring the 16-point win to improve to 4-12 and avoid the eighth straight defeat.

Chantel Horvat put in a huge performance ending up with 39 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks with 17/24 from the field and 5/5 at the free-throw line.

Mikayla Pirini also had 16 points, five rebounds and four assists, Alexandra Kayrouz 12 points, 11 boards and three assists, Elle Fletcher 10 points and two rebounds, Marley Sialeipata eight points, five boards and two blocks, and Lily Graham five points and 11 rebounds.

Inner West are now 0-16 on the season with Seehia Ridard finishing with 34 points, five rebounds and two steals with Jennifer Mailei adding 16 points and nine boards, Llianna Jacob 14 points, 11 rebounds and seven assists, and Ai Matsumoto 10 points, six assists and four boards.

Albury Wodonga Bandits (82) defeated Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (62)

Last-Tear Poa had a triple double and Unique Thompson put up 27 points as the Albury Wodonga Bandits kept their winning form going beating the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders 82-62.

The Bandits brought impressive form with them ahead of hosting the Spiders at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre who had lost their past couple of games.

Albury Wodonga made a strong start with 21 points to 14 in the first quarter before that lead got out to 15 in the second period and the Bandits were leading 40-27 by the half-time interval.

The Bandits then had 22 points to 18 in the third frame and 20 to 17 in the fourth before securing the 20-point victory to make it three consecutive wins to improve to a 9-7 record.

Last-Tear Poa completed a triple double consisting of 13 points, 12 rebounds and 12 assists with 4/9 shooting from the field, 2/5 from downtown and 3/4 from the foul line.

Unique Thompson also produced 27 points, 10 rebounds and two blocks with 12/17 shooting while Emily Lytle contributed 10 points and two boards, and Emma Mahady eight points and three rebounds.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai have now lost three consecutive matches to be 9-7 as well with Ay'Anna Bey finishing with 23 points, 18 rebounds and three assists on 11/11 free-throw shooting.

Nicola Sainsbury added 12 points, five rebounds and two assists, and Lucy Mead 10 points and three assists.

Canberra Nationals (87) defeated Sutherland Sharks (75)

The Canberra Nationals kept their form rolling as they make a charge to the playoffs with a fourth win in-a-row beating the Sutherland Sharks 87-75 on a triple double from Callie Bourne.

The Nationals were back home in Tuggeranong at Southern Cross Stadium building some impressive momentum ahead of hosting a Sharks line-up having lost four straight and still without Lauren Nicholson.

Canberra got off to a flying start with 25 points to 14 in the first quarter and then another 18 to 15 in the second having led by as much as 22 on the way to the 43-29 half-time advantage.

The Nationals then retained control through the second half leading again by as much as 18 points on the way to the 12-point win to make it four on the trot to be banging on the door of a playoff position at 8-9.

Callie Bourne delivered a triple double for Canberra with 17 points, 17 rebound, 11 assists and three steals even with shooting 4/17 from the field and 0/7 from long-range.

Allison Day added 19 points, nine rebounds, three assists and three steals, Caitie Jones 16 points, eight boards, three assists and two steals, and Zara Funnell 14 points and two rebounds.

Sutherland slipped further from playoff contention now sitting at 6-9 with five losses in-a-row with Maddy Norris producing another 26 points, five rebounds and three assists with Abi Curtin contributing 12 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Courtney West also had nine points, 10 rebounds and two steals, and Olivia Douglas eight points, seven boards and two assists.

SUNDAY

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (93) defeated Bankstown Bruins (56)

The Bankstown Bruins put their credentials on the line with the most challenging possible double in Round 12 and Manly Warringah Sea Eagles turned it into a horror show for them with Sunday's 93-56 win.

The Bruins came into the weekend on an 11-game winning streak and not having lost a game either last season or this one with Shyla Heal in the line-up.

That all changed in a terrific battle with the Norths Bears on Sunday as the Bruins tried to hit back on Sunday at Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre against the defending champions.

The Sea Eagles came into the contest having made it eight straight wins the day before beating the Newcastle Falcons and then they started on fire against the Bruins with 30 points.

The Bruins managed just 12 points on 4/17 shooting in the first quarter and then just 24 on 8/43 in the entire second half as Manly Warringah romped to the emphatic 37-point victory.

The win improves the Sea Eagles to a 16-1 record to remain hot on the heels of the 16-0 Bears while the Bruins are now 12-4 having lost to both top two teams in the space of less than 24 hours.

Alex Delaney starred with 19 points, 10 rebounds and five assists with 11/12 shooting from the free-throw line.

Sari Mowbray also delivered 16 points, five rebounds and two steals for the Sea Eagles, Zoey Miller 15 points, five assists, three boards and two steals, Bree Delaney 13 points, six rebounds, two assists and two steals, and Josie Radan 11 points and six boards.

Shyla Heal has now played in her first two defeats with Bankstown inside less than 24 hours and she finished with eight points and five rebounds on 3/16 shooting.

Davida Dale also had eight points, five rebounds and two assists, Tahlia Tupaea eight points, five boards and two assists, and Kira-May Filemu eight points and two assists.

Newcastle Falcons (85) defeated Penrith Panthers (36)

The Newcastle Falcons held the Penrith Panthers to nine points in the first half and went on to score the emphatic 85-36 home victory.

The Falcons came into the game at Newcastle Basketball Stadium having lost the previous night to the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles with the Panthers fresh off their second win of the season against the Central Coast Crusaders.

Newcastle dominated from the outset with 20 points to five in the first quarter and another 19 to four in the second to go into half-time leading 39-9.

It was then another 25 points to 12 in the third frame and 21 to 15 in the fourth for Newcastle to end up winning by 49 points to improve to a 10-6 record to split their double header weekend.

Kate Kingham top scored for the Falcons with 23 points and six rebounds with Meg Jefferson adding 20 points, 16 boards, three assists and three steals, and Mia Heide 20 points, 12 rebounds and three assists.

Penrith are now 2-13 with the loss with Sofia Hunt top scoring with 12 points and six rebounds with Tatiana Beaumont contributing eight points, six boards and four assists.