1 week Ago By James Gardiner
Nicole Munger better make more room in her trophy cabinet. Login or signup to continue reading A two-time NBL1 East Most Valuable Player, Munger produced one of the best individual performances seen at Newcastle Basketball Stadium to lead the Falcons to a 90-72 triumph over Albury on Sunday. Playing a secod game in less than 24 hours, the Pennsylvania powerhouse dropped 40 points, grabbed 15 rebounds, dished out seven assists, made three steals and blocked a shot.
The 27-year-old converted at an incredible 71 per cent from the field. The highlight was a two-minute blitz in the third quarter. With the Falcons down by five, Munger drained 11 straight points.
The home side took control from there in. Munger poured in 53 points in a 110-49 crushing of strugglers Inner West Bulls in July, 2022 - her first season in Newcastle. Sunday's masterclass was against the 2023 champions and one of the front-runners for the title this season.
She has averaged 24 points, 14 rebounds and six assists to spearhead the Falcons to three straight wins in their championship defence. "Nicole is top notch," Falcons coach Kristi Bultitude said. "I'm not sure if I have seen many better performances than that.
"She does some incredible things, but she also makes everyone else around her better." Albury were ice cold in the opening quarter and Munger made them pay. She had 16 points and seven rebounds.
The Bandits had no answer to her pull-up jump shot. Albury missed their opening nine shots. Gun guard, Caitlyn Jones, who had 38 points in a come-from-behind 92-83 win over Maitland on Saturday night, was none-from six.
Kate Kingham and Sophie Brennan did a great job defensively, forcing Jones into tough shots. If not for Albury centre, Brynn Masikewic the game could have been over. She had seven points and seven rebounds as Albury went to quarter-time down 20-13.
"I said to the girls which ever team stands up defensively will win," Bultitude said. Jones scored her first bucket midway through the second period as the visitors went on 15-6 run to close the gap to 31-30. Emma Mahady made a lay-up to put Albury up 34-33, before Munger closed out the half with a pair of free throws and jump shot for a 37-36 lead.
Munger had 24 points and 10 rebounds at the long break. Centre Meg Jefferson (8) and Brennan (5) were the only other Falcons with points. Albury jumped out to a five-point lead early in the third quarter.
Enter Munger. She was unstoppable, running the floor, hitting threes, driving to the ring and making jumps shots. She scored 11 straight points for a 54-48 lead.
The home side increased the lead to 67-57 at three-quarter-time. Munger had 36 points at 75 per cent. The Falcons went on a 12-4 run to open the fourth quarter and stretched the lead to 21 points at one stage.
The Falcons' statement win followed a 71-47 rout of central Coast in Terrigal on Saturday. Jefferson dominated inside for the visitors with 18 points and 13 rebounds. Munger had a double-double with 14 points and 15 rebounds, while Kingham and Claudia Waihape Andrews had 11 points each.
It was a much tougher double-header for the men, thumped 98-71 by the Crusdaers before losing a tight tussle with Albury 77-72 on Sunday. After trailing the Bandits 49-39 at half-time, the home side led 66-65 early in the final stretch but faded down the stretch. Against the Crusaders, Ryan Beisty had 18 points and 10 board.
Myles Cherry scored 16 points and Kobe Shannon added 12, but they were the only players in double figures on a poor shooting night where they conveted at just 37 per cent. James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald. James Gardiner, chief football and rugby writer at the Newcastle Herald.
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