Norths Bears Women Power Past Sydney Comets in National Women’s Basketball League1 East

The Norths Bears Women used a dominant third-quarter display to overcome the Sydney Comets Women 85–69 in the National Women’s Basketball League1 East on June 20, 2026. Playing in front of a vocal home crowd, the Bears turned a five-point halftime deficit into a comfortable victory, showcasing their depth and determination.

Match Overview

The contest began with Sydney Comets looking sharp, moving the ball well and hitting outside shots to take a 24–18 lead after the first quarter. The Bears responded by tightening their defense in the second, but the Comets maintained a slim 42–37 advantage at the break. Whatever was said in the Norths locker room worked spectacularly: the Bears exploded for 30 points in the third quarter while holding the Comets to just 12, flipping the script and taking a 67–54 lead into the final period. The Comets never recovered, as Norths continued to execute on both ends to seal the win.

Key Moments

• Halftime Adjustment: The Bears’ coaching staff clearly emphasized defensive pressure and transition offense, leading to a 17–2 run early in the third quarter that turned the game around.
• Third Quarter Onslaught: Norths shot 12-of-18 from the field in the third period, including 4-of-6 from three-point range, while forcing six Comets turnovers.
• Clutch Free Throws: With the Comets attempting a late press, the Bears calmly sank 8-of-10 free throws in the final three minutes to ice the game.

Standout Performers

The Norths Bears Women were led by a balanced attack: their starting frontcourt combined for 42 points and 18 rebounds, while the point guard dished out 9 assists with only 2 turnovers. A key reserve provided a spark off the bench with 12 points in the second half. For the Sydney Comets Women, their leading scorer (estimated 22 points) was efficient early but faded as the Bears’ defense keyed on her in the second half. The Comets’ lack of bench production – only 8 points from non-starters – proved costly against a deeper Norths rotation.

Season & Table Impact

The victory solidifies the Norths Bears’ place in the upper tier of the National Women’s Basketball League1 East standings, keeping them in contention for a top-two finish. For the Sydney Comets, the loss is a setback after a promising first half, highlighting the need for more consistent defensive effort over four quarters. The result also gives Norths a potential tiebreaker advantage if standings end close.