The Hornsby Spiders used a stifling defensive effort to defeat the Penrith Panthers 76–61 in an NBL1 Eastern matchup on 9 May 2026. Played at Penrith’s home court, the game was defined by the Spiders’ ability to slow down the Panthers’ offence and control the tempo from tip‑off to final buzzer.

Defensive Dominance Sets the Tone

Hornsby held Penrith to just 13 points in the first quarter, forcing five turnovers and contesting every perimeter shot. The Spiders’ defensive anchor Andrew Kim (12 points, 10 rebounds, 4 blocks) patrolled the paint, deterring drives and altering numerous attempts. Penrith shot only 29% from the field in the first half, trailing 38–26 at the break.

Spiders Spread the Offensive Load

Offensively, Hornsby was led by guard Ben Taylor (21 points, 5 assists), who scored 10 points in the third quarter to push the lead to 19. Forward Luke Chen (15 points, 8 rebounds) also contributed, hitting two three‑pointers and attacking the offensive glass. The Spiders’ ball movement was crisp, resulting in 20 assists on 28 made field goals.

Penrith Finds Some Rhythm Late

The Panthers showed signs of life in the fourth quarter, outscoring Hornsby 22–16. Shooting guard James Walker (16 points, 4 rebounds) knocked down three triples in the final period, and centre Sam O’Brien (14 points, 9 rebounds) battled hard inside. But the deficit proved too large, and Hornsby closed the game with a 7‑0 run in the last three minutes to seal the 15‑point win.

Notable Numbers

• Hornsby Spiders: Ben Taylor (21 pts, 5 ast, 3 reb), Luke Chen (15 pts, 8 reb), Marcus Davis (10 pts, 4 ast).
• Penrith Panthers: James Walker (16 pts, 4 reb), Sam O’Brien (14 pts, 9 reb), Chris Allen (12 pts, 3 ast).
• Team Defence: Hornsby held Penrith to 38.5% shooting overall and forced 14 turnovers.

Ladder Implications

With the victory, Hornsby improved to 4–3 and moved into fifth place in the NBL1 Eastern standings. Penrith dropped to 2–5, currently outside the playoff positions. The Spiders will look to build on this defensive blueprint in their next game against the Sydney Comets.