Newcastle Falcons Dominate Penrith Panthers in NBL1 Eastern Showdown

The Newcastle Falcons produced a commanding performance at home on June 28, 2026, defeating the Penrith Panthers 84-70 in an NBL1 Eastern contest defined by strong defense and efficient offense. The win moves the Falcons to 10-4 on the season, keeping pace with the division leaders.

From the outset, Newcastle imposed its will, holding Penrith to just 14 points in the first quarter. The Falcons’ frontcourt duo of Sam Richardson and Josh Davis dominated the boards, combining for 22 rebounds. Penrith struggled to find rhythm against Newcastle’s switching man-to-man defense.

Key Stretch

After Penrith trimmed the margin to 42-38 early in the third quarter, Newcastle responded with a 16-4 run that effectively sealed the game. Point guard Mitch Evans orchestrated the offense, finishing with 15 points and 10 assists. The Falcons shot 48% from the field while holding the Panthers to 38%.

Top Performers

• Sam Richardson (Newcastle) – 18 points, 12 rebounds, 3 blocks
• Mitch Evans (Newcastle) – 15 points, 10 assists, 4 steals
• Josh Davis (Newcastle) – 14 points, 10 rebounds
• Luke Morrison (Penrith) – 22 points, 5 assists

Standings and Outlook

Newcastle’s victory strengthens their grip on a top-three position in the NBL1 Eastern table. Penrith drops to 5-9 and faces an uphill battle to reach the playoffs. The Falcons will next face the Hornsby Spiders, while the Panthers host the Illawarra Hawks in their next matchup.