Bruce's Thunder edge Noi's Rip City in NBL1 blockbuster

It was pegged as one of the matches of the NBL1 round and the clash between Shaun Bruce's Logan and Kouat Noi's USC Rip City didn't disappoint.

On Saturday night at the USC Sports Stadium, the Thunder outlast the hosts 98-90 - with a big 32-22 second term proving the difference.

In the win, Bruce produced one of his best performances of the season, to the tune of 16 points, eight rebounds and eight assists - seeing his side sit in first place with a 6-1 record after six rounds.

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While Noi once again double-doubled for USC, tallying 22 points, 16 boards, four steals and two dimes in the loss.

Next week, Logan hosts North Gold Coast while Rip City travels to Ipswich - which will pit Noi up with another one of his Kings teammates, Jaylin Galloway.

The latter's Force comes into that fixture on the back of one win and one loss - their first of the season - in round six.

Ipswich first defeated North Gold Coast 92-80, thanks to 29 points, four assists, three steals, two rebounds and one block by Galloway.

But they backed this up with a 98-91 loss to South West Metro, in which the Kings' wing added four points, two rebounds, two assists, one steal and one block.

Elsewhere in the NBL1's 'Pink Round', Makuach Maluach powered Darwin to an impressive 117-91 victory against Brisbane - putting up 16 points, 10 rebounds, five assists and two steals.

His Salties next host Mackay on Saturday.

Shifting to NBL1 South and Angus Glover's Eltham Wildcats split their weekend's games against Nunawading and Dandenong.

Despite recording a double-double (10 points and 10 rebounds plus two assists), the Wildcats lost 93-80 to the Spectres.

But they rebounded in short order, downing the Rangers 99-76 - behind a massive 34 points, eight rebounds, three assists and two steals by Sydney's two-time champion.

The 6-2 Wildcats, who sit in second spot on the ladder, next host Melbourne on Saturday.

 

 

 

 

 

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To NBL1 West, Zac Gattorna contributed eight points, four assists, three rebounds, one steal and one block as Geraldton blew out Mandurah 128-98.

He followed that up with 10 points, three assists and one block in the Buccaneers' 86-75 loss to Perry Lakes.

In round seven, Gattorna's Buccaneers host Willetton on Saturday.

Finally, in NBL1 East, Archie Woodhill and his Sydney Comets' game was postponed against Central Coast - with their next fixture being at Canberra on Saturday.

Moving across to the Flames contingent of Hoops Capital and Kiera Rowe's Knox Raiders split their round five matches.

They first smashed Ringwood 93-47, with Rowe chipping in 14 points, seven rebounds, two assists and two steals before the Raiders lost 82-66 to Sandringham - with Rowe adding two points, eight rebounds, five dimes and one block.

Knox will next lock horns with Ballarat and Melbourne in round six road fixtures.

In Queensland, the Townsville Flames - featuring Indiah Bowyer - downed Southern Districts, spearheaded by Maddy Allen, 85-77.

In the win, Bowyer added six points, two rebounds and one assist while Allen did all she could in the loss - putting up 27 points, eight boards, four dimes, one steal and one block.

The latter's Spartans bounced back though, edging Cairns 90-75 thanks to 29 points, five rebounds, four steals and two assists by Allen.

Next round, Bowyer's Flames have the bye while Allen's Spartans face Red City and Brisbane.

Wrapping up Sydney's NBL1 North contingent is Lilly Rotunno who added seven points, four rebounds and two assists in Red City's 84-49 loss to Northside.

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Moving to NBL1 East and the Sydney Comets continued their strong season, ousting Central Coast 91-60 thanks to Vanessa Panousis (17 points, nine assists, six rebounds and three steals) and Jada Crawshaw (15 points, six boards, one dime, one steal and one block).

The Comets face the Gunners on the road on Saturday.

Finally, Emma Donnelly had six points, one rebound and one block as Norths thumped Canberra 80-50 - with the Bears next taking on Hornsby.

Both Keely Froling and Emma Clarke were overseas with their respective Australian 3x3 sides and therefore, did not play NBL1 over the weekend.

Keep up to date with all the club's off-season news here.