PREVIEW: Newcastle at Centre of Excellence

CANBERRA, Australia (Interstat) — The Newcastle women’s professional basketball team, holding the best record in the Australia NBL this season at 8-2, visits Centre of Excellence on Saturday, May 30, 2026, at Canberra in a matchup of two of the league’s top contenders.

Centre of Excellence enters the game at 7-4 after dropping its most recent contest, a 90-79 home loss to Hornsby on Sunday. Newcastle, meanwhile, extended its winning streak to two games with a 76-64 home victory over Illawarra on May 23.

The game marks the second meeting between these teams this season. Newcastle defeated Centre of Excellence 71-65 on April 25 in Newcastle.

Newcastle guard Nicole Munger has been one of the league’s most productive players. In her last five games, Munger averaged 20.2 points, 9.0 rebounds and 5.0 assists in 35 minutes per contest. She scored a season-high 35 points with eight assists and five rebounds in the win over Illawarra.

Munger’s consistent production has fueled Newcastle’s offense. She posted a double-double of 20 points and 13 rebounds against Maitland on May 16 and scored 23 points with 12 rebounds at Northern Suburbs on May 9.

For Centre of Excellence, guard Isabel Smith has been the primary scoring threat. Smith averaged 15.9 points over her last seven games, including a 24-point effort against Illawarra on May 2 and 24 points against Hornsby on May 24.

Smith’s scoring has been inconsistent, however. She managed six points against Manly Warringah on May 10 and eight points against Albury Wodonga on May 3.

Newcastle’s depth has been a factor in its 8-2 start. Forward Maria Barneda recorded 17 points and 12 rebounds in the win over Illawarra, and guard Claudea Waihape added three points, three rebounds and five assists.

Centre of Excellence forward Lily Mapp has been a strong inside presence, grabbing 13 rebounds against Hornsby.

Newcastle’s only two losses this season came on the road: a 93-75 defeat at Northern Suburbs on May 9 and a 66-65 loss to Northern Suburbs on March 28.

Centre of Excellence has been strong at home, with a 5-2 record in Canberra this season.

Tipoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. local time.