Canberra Gunners Hold Off Sydney Comets in NBL1 Eastern Clash

July 18, 2026 | 5:30 PM AEST

The Canberra Gunners bounced back with a hard-fought 88–72 victory over the Sydney Comets in NBL1 Eastern action. A strong defensive performance in the second half allowed the Gunners to overcome a slow start and secure a crucial home win.

Match Overview

Sydney came out aggressive, taking a 25–19 lead after the first quarter behind sharp outside shooting. However, Canberra tightened their defense in the second quarter, holding the Comets to just 14 points and taking a 44–39 halftime advantage. The Gunners extended the lead in the third behind a balanced scoring attack and never allowed Sydney to regain momentum.

Key Moments

• Defensive Shift: After allowing 25 points in the first quarter, Canberra allowed only 47 points over the final three periods.
• Third Quarter Burst: A 12–3 run to start the third quarter pushed Canberra’s lead to 59–44, forcing a Sydney timeout.
• Free-Throw Shooting: The Gunners converted 18 of 22 free throws in the fourth quarter to ice the game and prevent any late comeback.

Standout Players

Ben Carter led Canberra with 24 points and 8 rebounds, while Liam Pearce added 17 points and 6 assists. Sydney’s Josh Turner finished with 22 points, but no other Comet reached double figures as the team’s offense stagnated.

Season Impact

The win moves Canberra into sixth place in the NBL1 Eastern standings, keeping their playoff hopes alive. Sydney, now 8–10, risks falling out of contention if they cannot find consistency down the stretch.