East Wrap | Women's Round 6

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The Bankstown Bruins handed the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles a first NBL1 East loss in over a year before the reigning champs immediately hit back with a game winner for Maitland Mustangs from Jessalyn Finney with Jaz Shelley putting up 54 in two more Norths Bears wins.

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>> EAST WRAP | WOMEN'S ROUND 5

SATURDAY

Centre of Excellence (94) defeated Central Coast Crusaders (53)

It was a dominant performance at home for the Centre of Excellence as they beat the Central Coast Crusaders 94-53 with five players scoring in double figures.

The CoE were back at the Australian Institute of Sport having won three straight as they hosted a Crusaders team who did snap their losing run two weeks ago.

The Centre of Excellence made the ominous start with 18 points to nine in the first quarter before the lead got out to 15 in the second term but Central Coast did fire back with an 11-0 run to even briefly grab the lead.

The CoE again responded to be leading 42-27 by half-time before going on with the job from there in the second half including a massive 36-12 fourth quarter for the 41-point victory.

The win improves the Centre of Excellence to 6-1 with four wins in-a-row with Zara Russell delivering 18 points, nine assists, four rebounds and three steals.

Olivia Olechnowicz also had 17 points, five steals and four assists, Jay Sebasio 16 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals, Reece Anticevic 15 points and three boards, and Isabel Smith 11 points, six rebounds, four assists and two steals.

The Crusaders are now 1-8 with Leila Heffernan finishing with 19 points, 11 rebounds and three blocks with Nikki Worner contributing 12 points and 10 rebounds, and Darneka Rowe nine points, four assists and three boards.

Inner West Bulls (79) lost to Illawarra Hawks (96)

The Illawarra Hawks snapped their losing slide in impressive fashion with the 96-79 road victory over the Inner West Bulls.

The Bulls were back home at Sydney Uni Sports and Aquatics Centre still yet to win in 2026 while the Hawks were also on a run of losing three in-a-row.

Inner West did start impressively to be up six early before Illawarra fired back with a 10-0 run and that saw them leading 26-20 by quarter-time.

The Hawks had another 22 points to 17 in the second frame which saw them leading 48-37 into half-time.

They went on with the job from there with another 28 points to 21 in the third quarter to lead by as much as 21 on the way to the 17-point victory.

Illawarra improves to 3-5 with the victory with Asha Phillips delivering 22 points, 11 rebounds and three assists with 4/10 three-point shooting.

Una Jovanovich also had 22 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and two steals with Darcy Rees contributing 15 points and 14 boards, Ruby MacDonald 13 points, five rebounds and five assists, and Imogen Thompson 11 points, three boards and two steals.

Inner West are now 0-8 to start the season with Taylah Levy doing all she could to lift them to the drought breaking win with 29 points, 13 rebounds, nine assists and two steals.

Seehia Ridard also had 25 points, six rebounds and four assists, and Jennifer Mailei eight points and five boards.

Bankstown Bruins (82) defeated Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (65)

The streak is over! And another one goes on with the Bankstown Bruins continuing their winning ways with Shyla Heal in their line-up as they ended the winning run of the defending champion Manly Warringah Sea Eagles at 26 with the 82-65 win.

The Sea Eagles won the last 19 games of 2025 on the way to beating the Centre of Excellence in the Grand Final to secure the championship.

They have backed that up by winning their first seven games of 2026 as well by an average of 33.9 points, but the Bruins were up to the challenge at Bankstown Basketball Stadium.

Having won their last four games themselves and looking a distinctly different outfit with Heal in the line-up, Bankstown shot out of the blocks and never looked back.

The Bruins opened up a 25-point lead in the second quarter and that got out to 31 in the third and even with the class and experience the Sea Eagles have, they couldn’t ever get within striking distance from there.

It's a first loss for Manly Warringah since April 12 last year when they lost in Albury Wodonga to the Bandits and have not only not lost since, but never really come close with only three single figure margin wins in their 26-match streak.

But Bankstown came with a game plan and executed perfectly for the 17-point win as they win five straight themselves to now improve to a 6-2 record.

Shyla Heal had a big impact still even while shooting 6/17 from the field by going 5/9 from three-point territory on her way to 18 points and 10 assists.

Kiahna Davis-White added 14 points, six rebounds and two steals with Margot De Freitas finishing with 13 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Tahlia Tupaea 11 points, nine boards, four assists, four steals and two blocks with 2/3 shooting from downtown.

The Bruins were also +28 with Davida Dale out on the floor who finished with eight points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

Zoey Miller was limited to just 22 minutes because of foul trouble for Manly Warringah but she did threaten in the third quarter to have a significant impact and finished with 10 points, six rebounds and five assists before fouling out.

Alex Delaney had 10 of her team's 16 points in the first quarter and ended up with 21 with 11 rebounds on 4/9 three-point shooting with Sari Mowbray contributing 12 points, six boards, three assists and three steals.

Norths Bears (93) defeated Newcastle Falcons (75)

At the same time the winning run of the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles' winning run was ending, the Norths Bears kept themselves unbeaten with the 93-75 home win over the Newcastle Falcons.

The Bears were back home at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre having won their first eight matches of 2026 up against a Falcons team also having won their past six.

Norths started well with 30 points to 25 in the first quarter having led by as much as 13 earlier and then the Bears went into half-time still on top 56-49 by half-time.

The Bears were in control further throughout the second half with 23 points to 18 in the third period, and 14 to eight in the fourth on the way to the eventual 18-point victory.

Norths are now 9-0 following the win with Jaz Shelley outstanding once more with 28 points, 10 rebounds, five assists, five steals and two blocks with 7/12 three-point shooting.

Emma Donnelly added 27 points and five rebounds also with seven triples while Talya Brugler delivered 26 points, eight boards and seven assists while Caitlyn Martin contributed six points, seven assists and three rebounds.

The Falcons weren’t quite able to make it seven straight wins with their record now 6-2 with Nicole Munger finishing with 23 points and 12 rebounds with Kate Kingham adding 18 points and six boards, Meg Jefferson 12 points and four rebounds, and Sophie Brennan eight points, six assists and five boards.

Penrith Panthers (61) lost to Hornsby Ku-Ring Gai Spiders (92)

Ruby Perkins and Jessie-May Hall combined for 52 points and the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai delivered a dominant performance on the road to beat the Penrith Panthers 92-61.

The Panthers were back home at Minto Indoor Sports Centre having lost their past four while the Spiders arrived having lost their past two and trying to keep their momentum rolling.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai shot out of the blocks impressively with 33 points to 19 in the first quarter including going on a 10-0 run.

It was another 26 points to 14 in the second frame and that saw the Spiders go into the half-time break leading 59-33.

The scoring dried up in the third quarter for both teams but then Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai pulled away again with 23 to 17 in the final term to go on and score the 31-point victory.

The win improves the Spiders to a 5-2 record with Jessie-May Hall delivering 26 points, seven rebounds and four assists on 9/13 shooting from the floor and 8/9 at the foul line.

Ruby Perkins added 26 points, five rebounds and two steals with 5/7 three-point shooting while Lucy Mead added nine points, four boards and three steals, and Ay'Anna Bey eight points, five rebounds and two blocked shots.

Penrith are now 1-6 having lost five in-a-row with Hannah Griffin top-scoring with 23 points, seven rebounds, three assists and two steals with 6/15 three-point shooting.

Chanel Bastin also had nine points, four assists, three rebounds, two steals and two blocks, Tatiana Beaumont eight points, three boards and two assists, and Maria Garcia Leon eight points and five rebounds.

Albury Wodonga Bandits (63) lost to Maitland Mustangs (65)

Jessalyn Finney was the hero for the Maitland Mustangs as she hit the game winner for the 65-63 victory against the Albury Wodonga Bandits.

The Bandits were back home at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre looking to build some momentum into heir season while the Mustangs were attempting to avoid a fourth straight loss.

Albury Wodonga held on to a 19-14 lead by the end of the first quarter before it was 15 points to 10 from Maitland in the second term with scores all locked at 29-29 by half-time.

It was then 12 points apiece in the third period to set up the big finish and eventually just before the buzzer it was Finney who hit the winner for the Mustangs.

Emma Mahady still got up a quick shot on the buzzer for the Bandits after a timeout but it wouldn’t fall with Maitland winning by two to improve to a 3-5 record.

As well as the game winner, Finney provided 22 points, 11 rebounds and two assists for the Mustangs with Charlotte Cougle contributing 10 points, three boards and two steals, and Shakera Reilly 10 points, four rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The Bandits are now 3-5 following the heartbreaking home loss with Mahady finishing with 17 points and three rebounds with Unique Thompson adding 11 points, 16 boards and four assists, Emily Lytle 10 points, seven rebounds and two assists, and Timeeka Coleman nine points and three boards.

Sydney Comets (81) lost to Hills Hornets (84)

The Hills Hornets held out the Sydney Comets in a thrilling finish for the 84-81 road victory as they returned to the winner's list.

The Comets were back home at Comets Stadium looking to back up a win over the Penrith Panthers while the Hornets were trying to bounce back from losing to the undefeated Norths Bears.

It was Sydney clinging to a two-point lead at quarter-time before they were still narrowly leading 44-43 by half-time.

It was a two-point advantage still for the Comets by three quarter-time and at no point was there more than six points that separated the two teams the entire game.

Eventually Ella Gale scored to put the Hornets up five with just over a minute to play and that proved to be enough for them to go on and secure the three-point victory to improve to a 3-4 record.

Kennedy Johnson delivered 19 points, six rebounds and five assists in the win for the Hornets with Brooke Bjelko contributing 13 points and 10 rebounds on 6/9 shooting, and Ella Gale 13 points, five boards and two blocked shots.

Jade Kirisome also had 12 points, six rebounds, five assists and four steals, and Sherrie Calleia 11 points and five assists.

The Comets are now 3-6 following the home loss with Eryn Fisher having a monster game with 36 points, two rebounds, two assists and two steals on 13/23 shooting from the field and 10/12 at the foul line.

Elle Fletcher added 18 points, six assists and four rebounds, Mikayla Pirini 16 points, six assists, three boards and three steals, and Alexandra Kayrouz six points, 11 rebounds and four assists.

SUNDAY

Centre of Excellence (67) lost to Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (80)

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles took out their frustrations from losing for the first time in 27 games the previous night by dominating the Centre of Excellence in Sunday's Grand Final rematch for the 80-67 victory.

The Sea Eagles won the last 19 games of 2025 on the way to beating the CoE in the Grand Final but their winning run was snapped at 26 at the hands of Shyla Heal and the Bankstown Bruins on Saturday night.

If that wasn’t bad enough, Manly Warringah had to head to Canberra on Sunday morning to take on the Centre of Excellence at the Australian Institute of Sport who were coming off their own big win in the same venue on Saturday against the Central Coast Crusaders.

After the CoE were leading by a point at quarter-time, Manly Warringah took control holding the home team to 21 points on 6/28 shooting over the second and third quarters.

That helped the Sea Eagles build a 23-point lead and to complete the bounce back 13-point victory to end the weekend on an 8-1 record and having done so without Josie Bulman while the Centre of Excellence are now 6-2.

It was a strong bounce back performance from Manly Warringah especially at the defensive end along with going 23/25 at the foul line, pulling down 14 offensive rebounds and having just the eight turnovers.

They also did it without Josie Bulman once again with Zoey Miller outstanding with 26 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and three steals with 11/11 foul shooting.

Alex Delaney also delivered 18 points and 10 rebounds, Sari Mowbray 15 points and three boards, Kim Dickinson 14 points, five rebounds and three steals, and Josie Radan four points, five boards and two steals.

Olivia Olechnowicz finished with 17 points and eight rebounds with 4/7 three-point shooting for the CoE while Zara Russell contributed nine points and two boards, and Aspen Crase nine points and three rebounds.

Norths Bears (101) defeated Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (73)

The Norths Bears continued their dominant start to the season with the 101-73 win over the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders on the back of a combined 74 points from Jaz Shelley, Tayla Brugler and Peggy Schell.

The Bears remained the lone undefeated team in the NBL1 East with their win over the Newcastle Falcons on Saturday while the Spiders were also coming off an impressive win against the Penrith Panthers.

Norths again started well to be leading 26-20 by quarter-time before another 33 points to 24 which saw them head into half-time leading 59-44.

It was then further dominance from Norths with 28 points to 12 in the third period to see that lead get out to 31 and they would go on to win by 28 and improve to 10-0 in the process.

Shelley had another 26 points, seven assists, six rebounds and three blocks for the Bears with Brugler delivering 25 points, nine boards and four assists, and Schell 23 points, seven rebounds and three assists on 10/12 shooting from the floor and 3/5 from downtown.

Issy Morgan also had nine points, five rebounds and four assists, Caitlyn Martin eight points, seven assists and two steals, and Emma Donnelly seven points, four rebounds and two assists.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai are now 5-3 having split their weekend double with Ruby Perkins putting up 26 points, six rebounds and two assists with 8/14 field goal shooting and 8/10 at the stripe.

Kristina Moore added 14 points and two assists, Jessie-May Hall 14 points, seven boards, three assists and two steals, and Ay'Anna Bey nine points and six rebounds.

Hills Hornets (91) defeated Canberra Nationals (78)

Kennedy Johnson put up 24 points while only missing two shots to lead the Hills Hornets to the back up 91-78 win at home against the Canberra Nationals.

The Hornets were back home at Hills Basketball Stadium having won a thriller the day before against the Sydney Comets while Canberra were playing a first game since losing to the Albury Wodonga Bandits last Saturday.

Canberra are trying to build some momentum into their season and started well to lead 25-21 at the end of the first quarter and were still clinging to the 44-41 advantage heading into the half.

Hills turned things around in the third frame with 26 points to 14 and then another 24 to 20 in the fourth to claim the 13-point victory and make it a double win weekend to improve to 3-4.

Johnson finished with 24 points, three rebounds and two assists in the win for the Hornets on 9/11 field goal shooting with 3/4 from beyond the arc and 3/3 at the free-throw line.

Sherrie Calleia added 16 points, six assists, three rebounds and two steals, Jade Kirisome 16 points, six boards and two assists, and Ella Gale nine points and eight rebounds.

Canberra are now 2-5 following the loss with Allison Day providing 26 points, 13 rebounds and two assists with Katiah-Ann Tait adding 13 points and eight boards, and Alison Francis 10 points, five rebounds and three assists.

Bankstown Bruins (81) defeated Sutherland Sharks (68)

The Bankstown Bruins backed up their big win on Saturday by remaining undefeated with Shyla Heal in the line-up with the 81-68 win on Sunday over the Sutherland Sharks.

The Bruins handed the Manly Warringah Sea Eagles a first loss in over a year on Saturday and then backed up on Sunday at Bankstown Basketball Stadium hosting the Sharks who hadn't played since last Saturday's loss to the Newcastle Falcons.

Bankstown got off to a flying start with 29 points to 16 in the first quarter and then went into the half-time interval leading 45-29.

Sutherland kept things close in the third quarter with 22 points to 16 but then Bankstown pulled away once more with 20 points to 17 in the final term on the way to the 13-point victory.

The win improves the Bruins to a 7-2 record having won six in-a-row with Tahlia Tupaea delivering 20 points, eight rebounds and three assists with Margot De Freitas adding 19 points, nine boards, two steals and two blocks.

Heal also provided another 17 points and seven assists while Davida Dale added seven points, seven rebounds, six steals and four assists, and Kiahna Davis-White four points and nine boards.

Sutherland are now 3-3 with the defeat with Maddy Norris top scoring with 29 points and eight rebounds with 6/11 three-point shooting with Aliza Fabbro adding 15 points and three steals, Abi Curtin seven points and 13 rebounds, and Lauren Nicholson seven points, six boards and two assists.