East Recap | Round 11 Saturday

Image credit: @danbennettphoto

Manly Warringah Sea Eagles won a triple overtime men's NBL1 East classic while Kristina Moore went for 47 for Inner West Bulls, Caitie Jones 40 for Albury-Wodonga Bandits, and Sitaya Fagan and Rio Bruton starred in Centre of Excellence wins.

EAST RECAP | ROUND 10 SUNDAY

YOUNG EMBRACING UNEXPECTED MOVE TO SHARKS

WOMEN

Maitland Mustangs (66) lost to Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (75)

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles maintained their hold on a top two position in the NBL1 East with the 75-66 road win over the Maitland Mustangs.

The Mustangs were just clinging to a spot inside the top eight fresh off an important win last week over the Sutherland Sharks while the Sea Eagles arrived at Maitland Federation Centre on a nine-match winning run as the form team in the competition.

The Sea Eagles started well with 21 points to 16 in the first quarter on shooting 8/16 from the field including 4/8 from downtown while the Mustangs only shot at 5/19 overall.

Manly Warringah dominated the second frame with 23 points to seven on the way to being in control leading 44-23 at half-time.

That lead for the Sea Eagles grew to 24 points in the third quarter and they withstood a spirited fightback from the Mustangs to complete the nine-point victory.

The victory sees Manly Warringah improve to a 12-2 record having now won 10 straight matches with Sari Mowbray top-scoring with 17 points on 4/9 three-point shooting.

Zoey Miller also had 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and two steals, Josie Bulman 13 points, five boards and three assists, Taylor Wurtz 12 points, six rebounds and three assists, and Kim Dickinson 10 points, 10 boards and three assists.

Maitland are now 7-7 to be just clinging to a playoff position with Shakera Reilly finishing with 18 points, two rebounds and two assists.

Kasey Neubert also had 17 points, 19 rebounds, three blocks and two assists, Mila Wawszkowicz 13 points, six boards and four assists, and Sydney Hunter 11 points, six rebounds and two steals.

MAITLAND MUSTANGS 66 (Reilly 18, Neubert 17, Wawszkowicz 13)

MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES 75 (Mowbray 17, Miller 15, Bulman 13)

Albury-Wodonga Bandits (103) defeated Sydney Comets (86)

The Albury-Wodonga Bandits have as much firepower as any team in the NBL1 East and that was on show with Caitie Jones delivering 40, Brynn Masikewich 25 and Riley Lupfer 21 in the 103-86 win over the Sydney Comets.

Both teams came into the Saturday match up in good form and looking to make a statement with the Bandits having moved into the top four after last week's win over the Norths Bears while the Comets had also won their last couple to be knocking on the door of the top eight.

It was an exciting start by both teams as they combined for 53 points in the first quarter with the Bandits narrowly leading 27-26 with 6/13 three-point shooting opposed to the 4/8 from deep for the Comets.

That lead for Albury-Wodonga got out to as much as 16 points in the second quarter on the back of an 11-0 scoring run with the home team putting up 28 to 16 on the way to half-time to be leading 55-42.

That double-figure was maintained throughout the second half for the Bandits as well with their firepower seeing them hit the triple figure mark as a team for the 17-point victory.

As a result of the win, the Bandits stay in the top four with a 10-4 record with Caitie Jones the star putting up 40 points, 11 assists, six rebounds and six steals on the back of knocking down 7/8 from three-point territory.

She had plenty of help too with Brynn Masikewich delivering 25 points and 19 rebounds while Riley Lupfer shot 4/13 from three-point range for 21 points, six boards, three assists and two blocked shots.

The Comets remain outside the top eight following the loss now holding a 6-8 record with Abi Curtin doing all she could to lift her team with 35 points, nine rebounds, five assists and four blocked shots with 5/8 three-point shooting.

Piper Anderson also provided 22 points, eight rebounds and two steals, Alexandria Oliver 14 points and seven boards, and Mikayla Pirini six points, five rebounds and four assists.

ALBURY-WODONGA BANDITS 103 (Jones 40, Masikewich 25, Lupfer 21)

SYDNEY COMETS 86 (Curtin 35, Anderson 22, Oliver 14)

Canberra Nationals (74) defeated Central Coast Crusaders (44)

The challenging 2025 season of the Central Coast Crusaders continued in the first half of their Canberra road trip with the Canberra Nationals scoring the 74-44 victory.

The Nationals are on the back of a win against the Penrith Panthers to stay in the playoff hunt as they arrived at Tuggeranong to play host to the bottom placed Crusaders.

Canberra didn’t take long to take control of the contest putting up 25 points to 11 in the first quarter even while shooting just 1/7 from downtown but the Crusaders shot 5/18 from the field.

It was another 19 points to 10 in the second frame with the lead for the Nationals growing to 27 points and by the half-time break they were leading 44-21.

Central Coast shot just 8/37 in the first half as a team and it didn’t get much better in the second half with the Nationals ending up leading by as much as 32 points on the way to the eventual 30-point victory.

The victory improves Canberra to a 7-7 record on the season to close in on a top eight position with the Nationals having six players scoring in double-figures with Carlie McAlister leading the charge with 16 points, 12 rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Callie Bourne just missed out on a triple-double with 12 points, 11 assists, nine rebounds and four steals with Abby Solway adding 11 points and five boards, Elise Finney 10 points, four rebounds and two steals, Jasmyn Boutzos 10 points, and Mikala Williams 10 points, three boards and three assists.

Central Coast remain in bottom spot having lost seven straight now at 1-13 ahead of a challenging back up clash with the Centre of Excellence on Sunday.

Mikaela Dombkins top scored for the Crusaders with 14 points, three rebounds and two steals with Katina Mandylaris adding nine points and five boards, Leilani Mitchell nine points, five rebounds and four assists, and Tai Wakelin-Gray five points, 21 boards and two assists.

CANBERRA NATIONALS 74 (McAlister 16, Bourne 12, Solway 11)

CENTRAL COAST CRUSADERS 44 (Dombkins 14, Mandylaris 9, Mitchell 9)

Sutherland Sharks (80) lost to Hills Hornets (113)

Six players from the Hills Hornets scored at least 14 points as they put up a massive score to beat the Sutherland Sharks 113-80 to record their third win of the season.

The Sharks were back home at Sutherland Basketball Stadium and needed the win to remain any hope of reaching the playoffs in 2025 while the Hornets were fresh off their second win of the season last Saturday against the Central Coast Crusaders.

It was an exciting start from both teams as they combined for 60 points in the first quarter with Sutherland scoring 32 of those including going 10/14 at the foul line while Hills scored 28 with 5/12 three-point shooting.

It was the Hornets who were able to keep that scoring pace going with another 25 points in the second term while holding Sutherland to just 12 and that saw Hills go into the half-time break on top 53-44.

The Hornets were feeling good and scored anther 31 points in the third quarter to just 21 form Sutherland, and then the domination continued with 29 points to 15 in the fourth term.

That saw the Hornets secure the eventual 33-point victory to make it back-to-back wins and to improve to 3-10 on the season ahead of a clash with the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders on Sunday.

Hannah Griffin top-scored for Hills with 19 points with 5/10 three-point shooting but she had plenty of support with Jade Kirisome adding 17 points, seven assists and two steals, and Elizabeth Smith 17 points, five rebounds and five assists.

Sienna Clark also had 17 points on 3/4 three-point shooting while Kennedy Johnson contributed 17 points, eight rebounds, four steals and two assists, and Ella Gale 14 points, eight boards and two assists.

The Sharks are now 4-10 as a result of the loss with Maddie Norris finishing with 29 points, six rebounds, four assists, two steals and two blocks.

Laci Hawthorne returned to the starting line-up and had 18 points, four rebounds and two assists for Sutherland with Aliza Fabbro contributing 10 points and six assists, and Emily Garland 10 points, three rebounds and two assists.

SUTHERLAND SHARKS 80 (Norris 29, Hawthorne 18, Fabbro 10, Garland 10)

HILLS HORNETS 113 (Griffin 19, Kirisome 17, Smith 17, Clark 17, Johnson 17)

Illawarra Hawks (84) lost to Inner West Bulls (94)

A stunning 47-point performance from Kristina Moore has seen the Inner West Bulls maintain their hold on a top eight position with the 94-84 away win against the Illawarra Hawks.

The Hawks were back home at The Snakepit and fresh off beating the Centre of Excellence on Sunday while the Bulls arrived just clinging to eighth position following a defeat at the hands of the Sydney Comets.

It was a right battle right throughout the evening with the Bulls leading by just three points at quarter-time and then only extending that advantage to five at half-time.

It was another 26 points to 20 in the third quarter from Inner West before they were able to complete the deal for the eventual 10-point victory.

The Bulls ended up shooting 49 per cent from the field opposed to 37 from the Hawks and ended up winning despite taking nine fewer shots and getting to the foul line on five fewer occasions.

The Bulls maintain a spot in the top eight with the win to improve to 7-6 with a spectacular performance coming from Kristina Moore with 47 points, 10 rebounds and two assists on 19/31 shooting from the field, 5/9 from downtown and 4/4 at the foul line.

Tahlia Tupaea also just missed a triple-double with 23 points, 12 rebounds and five assists with Chieh Oh contributing 12 points, 10 boards and three steals.

The Hawks are now 4-10 on the season with Asha Phillips putting up 21 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Tsubasa Nisbet added 19 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals while Ella Dent contributed 18 points, eight assists, five boards and two steals, Ruby MacDonald 10 points and three rebounds, and Kiara Bell eight points and 10 boards.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 84 (Phillips 21, Nisbet 19, Dent 18)

INNER WEST BULLS 94 (Moore 47, Tupaea 23, Ou 12)

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (59) lost to Centre of Excellence (79)

Some troops were back for the Centre of Excellence and Sitaya Fagan settled right back in with 28 points and 12 rebounds to lead them to the 79-59 win away to the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders.

It had been a shorthanded Centre of Excellence line-up in recent weeks and as a result they were on a four-game losing streak as they arrived at The Brickpit on Saturday.

The Spiders came into the match up also inside the top eight on a three-game winning streak but it was the CoE who made the strong start with more players available giving them that added boost.

The Basketball Australia emerging stars put up 28 points to 14 in the first quarter thanks to shooting 13/19 rom the field while the Spiders struggled with just 5/19.

The Centre of Excellence were still leading by 10 points at half-time and then 10 at three quarter-time before they were able to ram home their advantage with 21 points to 11 in the final term.

That saw the CoE secure the 20-point victory to snap that four-game losing skid to improve to an 11-6 record to stay in touch of a top four spot with Sitaya Fagan once again showing why she is one of the more exciting young talents in the country.

Fagan produced another 28 points and 12 rebounds for the Centre of Excellence on shooting 11/21 from the floor and 5/6 at the charity stripe.

Zara Russell enjoyed the extra support and finished with 20 points, seven rebounds and two assists with Emilija Dakic contributing 11 points, five boards, five assists and five steals, and Aspen Crase eight points, seven rebounds, three assists, three blocks and two steals.

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai are now 6-7 on the season ahead of a crucial clash for their finals aspirations again at home to the Hills Hornets on Sunday.

Teenage star Jessie-May Hall once against top-scored for the Spiders with 20 points, five rebounds, three assists and three steals with 4/9 shooting from behind the three-point arc.

Ay'Anna Bey also had 15 points and five rebounds, and Keira Hudson 10 points and six boards.

HORNSBY KU-RING-GAI SPIDERS 59 (Hall 20, Bey 15, Hudson 10)

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE 79 (Fagan 28, Russell 20, Dakic 11)

Norths Bears (82) defeated Newcastle Falcons (76)

The last two NBL1 East champions played out another cracking contest and the Norths Bears overcame a triple-double from Nicole Munger to earn a measure of revenge on the Newcastle Falcons with the 82-76 victory.

The Bears won the NBL1 East title back in 2023 while the Falcons prevailed in 2024 with the two teams playing out a thriller just back on May 31 with Newcastle taking out that one by two points.

The two teams backed up on Saturday at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre with the Bears having the added motivation of also trying to respond to a loss last week to the Albury-Wodonga Bandits.

With no shortage of motivation, Norths started strongly with 26 points to 18 in the first quarter before pushing that lead out to 14 points during the second term.

The Bears were still leading 46-36 going into the half-time break and then it got out to as much as 19 points in the third frame, but the Falcons were never going to take that lying down.

The Falcons did go on an 8-0 run in response and the defending champs got it back all the to a four-point ball game early in the fourth term.

Maddie O'Hehir kickstarted a 7-0 run in response from the Bears with a three ball and from there they were able to secure the important six-point victory to improve to 12-2 on the season to strengthen their top two hopes.

O'Hehir once again top-scored in the win for the Bears with 22 points to go with seven rebounds and two assists with Isabelle Morgan adding 15 points, four boards and three assists.

Carla Pitman also had 15 points, eight rebounds, four assists and three steals, Ruby Perkins 12 points, four boards, four assists and three steals, and Peggy Schell eight points, 14 rebounds and two assists.

It's just a second loss of the season for the defending champion Newcastle who are now 11-2 ahead of taking on the Penrith Panthers to try and hit back on Sunday.

Reigning MVP Nicole Munger finished with another triple-double consisting of 18 points, 12 rebounds and 11 assists.

Meg Jefferson top-scored with 22 points, eight rebounds and three steals with Sophie Brennan contributing 15 points and four boards, Claudea Waihape-Andrews eight points, five rebounds, thee steals and two assists, and Susi Walmsley four points, five assists and two boards.

NORTHS BEARS 82 (O'Hehir 22, Morgan 15, Pitman 15)

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 76 (Jefferson 22, Munger 18, Brennan 15)

MEN

Maitland Mustangs (119) lost to Manly Warringah Sea Eagles (126)

The Manly Warringah Sea Eagles prevailed in a remarkable triple overtime classic where they beat the defending champion Maitland Mustangs 126-119 with huge games from Isaiah Lee and Mason Bragg.

The game started in enterprising fashion at Maitland Federation Centre with the Mustangs leading 34-32 by quarter-time and from there it remained a tight battle all the way with no more than six points ever separating the two teams locked in a battle over a playoff position.

With 2:45 to play in regulation it was the Mustangs leading by five after a Luka Vea bucket but then Manly Warringah scored the last five points including two free throws to tie scores up from Zackary Kimball to force the game to overtime.

Maitland then scored the first five points of the first overtime including a three ball from Vea but eventually Manly Warringah drew back level with a triple from Mason Bragg.

Bragg hit another triple to put the Sea Eagles in front but it was Billy Parsons scoring on a jumper after the Mustangs forced the turnover up the other end that sent the game to a second overtime period.

Then in the second extra five minutes, again the Mustangs opened up an early four-point lead only for the Sea Eagles to respond and grab the lead with a three ball from Zackary Kimball and free throws to Bragg.

This time it was foul shots from Mandrell Worthy in the last minute that gave Maitland the lead only for Oliver Hammond to respond in kind to keep scores level where they stayed after another five minutes.

The third overtime period was then when Manly Warringah were able to put the game to bed starting with a triple from Isaiah Lee and then a bucket to Matthew Eldridge.

The Sea Eagles turned that into the seven-point win in a game that featured 245 points between the two teams combining to make 24 three-pointers and 51 foul shots.

The win for Manly Warringah improves to a 7-7 record to snap a three-game losing slide to enhance their playoff prospects with Isaiah Lee ending up with 30 points, two assists and two blocks.

Mason Bragg added 27 points, 14 rebounds, eight assists and three steals, Preston Purifoy 21 points, five boards, three assists and two steals, and Matthew Eldridge 20 points and 16 rebounds.

Maitland as defending champions have now lost four straight to slip to a 7-7 record with Billy Parsons top-scoring with 32 points, 17 rebounds, three blocks and two assists.

Mandrell Worthy added 19 points, three rebounds and three assists, Daniel Millburn 14 points and two boards, Luka Vea 13 points and eight rebounds, Christian Little 12 points, five boards, three assists and two steals, and Jay Cole 10 points on 5/6 field goal shooting.

MAITLAND MUSTANGS 119 (Parsons 32, Worthy 19, Millburn 14)

MANLY WARRINGAH SEA EAGLES 126 (Lee 30, Bragg 27, Purifoy 21)

 

Albury-Wodonga Bandits (82) lost to Sydney Comets (100)

The Sydney Comets remain the hottest team in the NBL1 East with Obi Kyei and Biwali Bayles combining for 53 points in the 100-82 win on the road to the Albury-Wodonga Bandits.

The Bandits were back home at Lauren Jackson Sports Centre looking for a fourth win of the season but it was always going to be a tall order up against the Comets who arrived on the Boarder on a seven-game winning run.

It was a hot start from Sydney too with 30 points to 14 in the first quarter including them shooting 12/21 from the floor and knocking down 4/11 from three-point range.

That lead for the Comets grew to 24 points in the second quarter as well and then by the half-time break they were in control leading 56-37.

The advantage for the Comets got out to 25 points in the second half and they would go on to score the 18-point victory thanks to shooting 48 per cent from the field to 39 and on the back of taking an extra seven shot attempts.

The victory is an eighth in-a-row for the Comets as they improve to an 11-3 record to remain in second position with Obi Kyei delivering 30 points, 11 rebounds, six rebounds and three steals on 11/17 field goal shooting and 3/4 from downtown.

Biwali Bayles put up another 23 points, seven rebounds, six assists and two steals despite missing all 11 of his three-point attempts.

Johnny Crnogorac also had 15 points, 11 rebounds and two steals, and Viliami Foketi 13 points, two boards and two assists.

The Bandits are now 3-11 on the season following the loss with Francis Wineera-Mulvihill top-scoring with 26 points on 4/6 three-point shooting.

Matthew Gray added 24 points, seven rebounds, three assists and three steals, Marcus La Spina 18 points and eight boards, and Simon Lafaele nine points and 11 rebounds.

ALBURY-WODONGA BANDITS 82 (Wineera-Mulvihill 26, Gray 24, La Spina 18)

SYDNEY COMETS 100 (Kyei 30, Bayles 23, Crnogorac 15)

Canberra Gunners (98) defeated Central Coast Crusaders (52)

The Canberra Gunners put in a dominant showing to beat the Central Coast Crusaders 98-52 to maintain their top four position in the NBL1 East.

The Gunners returned to Tuggeranong looking to keep their momentum going to not only stay in the top four, but to stay in touch of a top two position as they hosted a Crusaders team also clinging to a place in the top eight.

Canberra had already opened up a 10-point lead in the first quarter before leading still 22-16 by quarter-time before blowing things open in the second frame with 29 points to 10.

That saw the Gunners get out to a 25-point advantage and to go into half-time on top 51-26 with them going 9/21 from three and 19/39 from the field overall while the Crusaders were shooting just 8/31 and 2/10 from behind the arc.

That advantage continued to grow throughout the second half for the Gunners with it getting out to 35 points in the third quarter, and 48 in the fourth which would end up with the eventual 46-point victory.

Canberra finished the night shooting 47 per cent to the 31 from the Gunners along with making 15/35 from three to 6/22, and pulling down 53 rebound to 32, and 16 offensive boards to six to end up taking 19 extra shots.

The win improves Canberra to an 11-4 record on the season with three straight wins with seven players scoring at least eight points.

Glenn Morison top-scored with 14 points, three rebounds and three assists while Evan Wardlow adding 12 points, five boards and two steals, and Will Mayfield 11 points, eight rebounds, two assists and two steals.

Brooklyn Bruton also had 11 points and two assists, Lachlan Smith 11 points and four rebounds, William Rice nine points and five boards, Derek Emelifeonwu eight points, three rebounds and two assists, and Cameron Pender eight points.

Central Coast slips to 6-8 with the defeat ahead of a clash with the league-leading Centre of Excellence on Sunday with Solomon Kuol putting up 12 points on 3/5 three-point shooting.

Ilisia Washington added 12 points, four rebounds and four steals with Garric Young providing eight points, six boards, four blocks and two steals, and Lino Manhom seven points, five rebounds and three blocked shots.

CANBERRA GUNNERS 98 (Morison 14, Wardlow 12, Mayfield 11, Bruton 11, Smith 11)

CENTRAL COAST CRUSADERS 52 (Kuol 12, Washington 12, Young 8)

Sutherland Sharks (85) defeated Hills Hornets (73)

The Sutherland Sharks made a flying start and converted that into the 85-73 victory against the Hills Hornets to remain in touch of the top four and further consolidated in the top eight.

The Sharks were back on their home floor at Sutherland Basketball Stadium fresh off a win last week against the defending champion Maitland Mustangs as they hosted a Hornets team trying to avoid a third consecutive defeat.

Sutherland made a strong start with 29 points to 19 in the first quarter including going on a 10-0 run while shooting 11/16 as a team opposed to the 8/21 from the Hornets.

That lead for the Sharks grew to 18 points in the second quarter and was still 46-36 by the half-time break.

The Sharks maintained a double-figure lead through most of the second half too on the way to the 12-point victory while shooting 52 per cent from the field to 34 along with hitting 10/22 from three to 7/28, and they won despite having 27 turnovers.

The win improves Sutherland to a 9-5 record on the season with Sydney Kings NBL star Kouat Noi producing 18 points, six rebounds and five assists with Ryan Abbott adding 11 points, five boards and two assists.

Taylor Young also had nine points and seven assists, Lochlan Hutchison 10 points, four assists and three rebounds, Jason Spurgin eight points, 14 rebounds and two assists with a couple of huge dunks, and Luke Jamieson eight points, six boards, three assists and two blocked shots.

The Hornets have now lost their past three matches to sit at 5-9 ahead of being away to the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders on Sunday with Deng Gak top-scoring with 17 points and five rebounds.

Zach Hudson added 16 points, seven rebounds, five assists and two blocks, and Liam Moss 13 points, five rebounds and three assists.

SUTHERLAND SHARKS 85 (Noi 18, Abbott 11, Hutchison 10)

HILLS HORNETS 73 (Gak 17, Hudson 16, Moss 13)

Illawarra Hawks (98) defeated Inner West Bulls (95)

An incredible late shooting performance from former Illawarra NBL player Mirko Djeric almost got the Inner West Bulls the stunning comeback win but the Hawks just held on to prevail 98-95.

The Hawks were back home at The Snakepit on Saturday night looking to make it seven wins in-a-row and to continue to try and break into a top position as they hosted a Bulls team having lost their past three to fall two games out of a top eight position.

It was a hot start from Illawarra who have scored over 100 points in each of their previous three wins as they opened up a 30-23 lead already by quarter-time.

Inner West were able to fire back in the second frame with 22 points to 14 and that saw the visitors take the narrow 45-44 lead into the half-time break.

The momentum continued to switch hands and the Hawks were back out to a nine-point lead in the third term, and then led by 12 four minutes into the fourth term with Christian Maran scoring.

However, in the last five minutes for Hawks and Cairns Taipans NBL sharpshooter Mirko Djeric knocked down a triumvirate of three balls for Inner West to keep things interesting.

Djeric wasn’t done there and in the dying seconds he landed his fourth triple of the last five minutes and this time he was also fouled and turned it into a four-point play to bring the Bulls within a point.

Kobe McDowell-White made two foul shots up the other end for the three-point Hawks lead before Maxwell Clark had the chance to force overtime at the buzzer but his shot wouldn’t fall and Illawarra held on for the three-point win.

It's a seventh straight victory for the Hawks who improve to an 11-3 record to remain in third place for now with Christian Maran top-scoring with 24 points and 13 rebounds on 11/15 field goal shooting.

McDowell-White added 21 points, seven assists, five rebounds and two steals, Lachlan Dent 17 points, nine assists, three boards and three steals, Matthew Mims 16 points and three rebounds, and Todd Blanchfield 15 points, six boards, five assists and two steals.

Inner West are now 4-10 on the season having won their past four matches with Ramon Cao ending up with 21 points, seven rebounds and two assists, and Mirko Djeric 20 points, seven boards and six assists with 5/12 from deep.

Andrew Swanson also had 18 points and nine rebounds, Tony Tolovae 15 points, three boards and three assists, and Maxwell Clark 12 points, seven rebounds, four assists and two steals.

ILLAWARRA HAWKS 98 (Maran 24, McDowell-White 21, Dent 17)

INNER WEST BULLS 95 (Cao 21, Djeric 20, Swanson 18)

Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders (76) lost to Centre of Excellence (90)

The next generation of the legendary Bruton family put on a show on Saturday night with Rio Bruton putting up 30 points on five threes as the Centre of Excellence got back to winning prevailing 90-76 against the Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai Spiders.

Bruton is the son of Australian basketball great and six-time NBL champion CJ, who himself is the son of one the pioneers of the NBL Cal, and he put on a shooting display reminiscent of his dad on Saturday night at The Brickpit.

The Centre of Excellence were coming off a loss at the hands of the Illawarra Hawks with the Spiders coming into the contest on a three-game winning streak so it was an intriguing contest.

The CoE took charge in the first quarter after Hornsby Ku-Ring-Gai had scored seven straight points and by quarter-time it was the Basketball Australia emerging stars leading 20-10 on the back of an 18-0 run.

The lead for the Centre of Excellence got out to 19 points in the second term but the Spiders did well to stay within touch and limit their lead to 43-30.

The CoE maintained a double-figure lead throughout the second half and ended up winning by 14 points in the finish on the back of shooting 51 per cent from the field to 32, and scored the win even with the Spiders pulling down 25 offensive rebounds and taking 23 extra shot attempts.

The Centre of Excellence improve to a 14-3 record following the win to retain top spot ahead of hosting the Central Coast Crusaders on Sunday.

Rio Bruton put in a dazzling performance with the third generation star putting up 30 points, five rebounds and two steals with 5/7 three-point shooting.

Marcus Vaughns added 18 points and six rebounds, William Hamilton 14 points, six boards and four assists, Jongkuch Mach nine points, seven rebounds and two blocks, and Jai Faale seven points, seven boards and two assists.

The Spiders are now 5-8 following their defeat as their three-game winning run comes to an end with Mohamed Kone delivering 32 points, seven steals, four rebounds and four assists.

Brian Ansuh-Yeboah added 12 points and five rebounds, Alexander Sidhu 11 points and 10 boards, and Akil Douglas eight points and four rebounds.

HORNSBY KU-RING-GAI SPIDERS 76 (Kone 32, Ansuh-Yeboah 12, Sidhu 11)

CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE 90 (Bruton 30, Vaughns 18, Hamilton 14)

Norths Bears (102) defeated Newcastle Falcons (70)

The Norths Bears kept their playoff hopes alive by winning a third straight match with the dominant 102-70 victory at home to the Newcastle Falcons.

The Bears were back on their home floor at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre having won their past two matches against the Maitland Mustangs and Albury-Wodonga Bandits to keep them in the playoff hunt.

The Falcons arrived to start their double on the road this weekend just clinging to a place in the top eight coming off a loss to the Centre of Excellence so there was plenty on the line for the Saturday match up.

It was just a three-point lead for the Bears by quarter-time but then the home team blew the game wide open in the second term with 31 points to 13 on the way to opening up a 21-point lead thanks to shooting 12/13 from the floor including a perfect 3/3 from deep.

Newcastle managed to shoot 5/18 from the field themselves and then Norths were able to continue to build on that with another 11-0 run in the third term to build up a 38-point advantage.

That lead got out to as much as 43 points in the final term and from there the Bears scored the 32-point victory thanks to shooting 55 per cent from the field to 41 along with going 24/31 at the foul line opposed to 9/12.

The Bears improve to a 7-7 record as a result of a third straight win with Hunter Goodrick finishing with 19 points, seven rebounds and three assists with Iggy Mitchell adding 19 points and three boards on 3/4 three-point shooting.

Lachlan Bofinger also had 15 points and five rebounds on 7/7 field goal shooting, Austin Patterson 13 points, six assists, five boards and two steals, and Jake Weinstein nine points, three rebounds, two assists and two steals.

The Falcons are now 7-7 as well following a second consecutive defeat ahead of being away to the bottom placed Penrith Panthers on Sunday.

Leo O'Boyle top-scored for Newcastle with 17 points, two rebounds and two assists with Kobe Shannon contributing nine points, two assists and two steals, Alex Clinton nine points, and Eylijah Stephens eight points, three assists and two rebounds.

NORTHS BEARS 102 (Goodrick 19, Mitchell 19, Bofinger 15)

NEWCASTLE FALCONS 70 (O'Boyle 17, Clinton 9, Shannon 9)