The BA Centre of Excellence (BA CoE) fell to a well-organised Inner West Bulls side 90-79 in NBL1 Eastern action on 21 June 2026. The match, played at a neutral venue, saw the Bulls control the tempo from the opening tip-off and never relinquish the lead, handing the young BA CoE squad their second consecutive loss.

Match Overview

Inner West established a 26-18 lead after the first quarter and maintained a comfortable margin throughout. BA CoE struggled with turnovers and offensive rebounds, allowing the Bulls to generate extra possessions. By the final period, the Bulls’ experience proved too much for the developmental roster.

Key Moments

• Fast start: The Bulls opened with a 10-2 run and led by double digits within the first eight minutes.
• Second-half resistance: BA CoE trimmed the deficit to seven early in the third quarter, but Inner West responded with a 12-2 spurt to restore control.
• Free-throw disparity: The Bulls attempted 28 free throws to the CoE’s 16, reflecting their aggressive drives to the basket.

Standout Players

Inner West received balanced contributions, with four players scoring in double figures. Their point guard orchestrated the offence with 14 points and 11 assists, earning player-of-the-match honours. For BA CoE, a promising young forward tallied 22 points and 8 rebounds, but the lack of consistent perimeter shooting (6-of-22 from three) hindered any serious comeback.

Season & Table Impact

The victory moves Inner West Bulls into the top four of the NBL1 Eastern conference, solidifying their credentials as a potential dark horse. BA CoE remain in the lower half of the standings, but their development-focused roster continues to gain valuable experience — a long-term investment for Australian basketball.