Zara Russell's excellence leads CoE into Grand Final

• Hodge and Wurtz each score 21 points as Manly Warringah defeat Newcastle 89-67
• BA CoE's balanced attack led by Zara Russell's 18 points helps secure 74-63 win against Norths Bears
• Madeleine O'Hehir scores game-high 23 points in losing effort for Norths Bears
• Get Bounce Pass: How to watch every single 2025 NBL1 game live and free

BA CoE 74 def Norths Bears 63 — Watch the Replay

Zara Russell delivered a clutch performance with 18 points, including a perfect 9-from-9 from the free-throw line, as the Basketball Australia Centre of Excellence secured a hard-fought 74-63 win against Norths Bears at North Sydney Indoor Sports Centre. The CoE squad showed their depth with Sitaya Fagan recording a double-double (16 points, 11 rebounds) and Isabel Smith adding 16 points on efficient 6-from-14 shooting.

Despite a stellar 23-point effort from Madeleine O'Hehir, who shot 8-from-19 from the field including 3-from-8 from downtown, the Bears couldn't overcome their poor shooting night. The home team connected on just 13.3 percent of their three-point attempts (4-from-30) and struggled at the charity stripe, hitting only 57.7 percent of their free throws. The contest featured 21 lead changes, but BA CoE's eight blocks and 55-45 rebounding advantage ultimately proved decisive as they pulled away in the closing stages.

Manly Warringah 89 def Newcastle 67 — Watch the Replay

Newcastle Falcons' NBL1 East title defense is over. Kimberley Hodge and Taylor Wurtz delivered matching 21-point performances as Manly Warringah dominated Newcastle 89-67 at Northern Beaches Indoor Sports Centre. Hodge was outstanding from the field, shooting 8-from-12 (66.7 percent), while adding nine rebounds. Wurtz connected on 6-from-13 from three-point range to pace the Warringah offense that shot 46.4 percent overall compared to Newcastle's dismal 32.9 percent.

Manly built their lead to as many as 27 points during an impressive showing where they controlled the paint with 48 points inside. Newcastle struggled to find rhythm despite Nicole Munger's solid all-round effort of 17 points, 10 rebounds, and seven assists. Meg Jefferson also contributed 17 points for Newcastle, but the visitors couldn't overcome Manly's defensive pressure, which forced 14 turnovers and limited Newcastle to just 21.4 percent shooting from beyond the arc.

2025 NBL1 East Grand Finals