The Frankston Blues Women suffered a heartbreaking 70–66 home defeat to the Waverley Falcons Women in a tightly contested NBL1 South clash on May 16, 2026. The Falcons overcame a slow start to snatch the victory in the final minutes, leaving the Blues searching for answers after coughing up a fourth-quarter lead.

Match Overview

Frankston came out firing, establishing a 21–16 lead after the first quarter behind sharp shooting from beyond the arc. The two teams traded baskets in the second period, with the Blues maintaining a 39–36 advantage at the half. Waverley tightened their defense after the break, holding Frankston to just 13 points in the third quarter to tie the game at 53 heading into the final frame. The fourth quarter was a back-and-forth battle until the Falcons seized control with a decisive 7–0 run in the last two minutes.

Key Moments

• Third-quarter defensive stand: Waverley forced five turnovers and limited Frankston to 4-of-15 shooting, erasing the home team’s lead.
• Clutch free throws: The Falcons iced the game from the line, going 8-for-10 in the final three minutes.
• Missed opportunity: Frankston had a chance to tie with 10 seconds left, but a jumper rimmed out, sealing the loss.

Tactical Story

Frankston relied heavily on perimeter scoring early, hitting six three-pointers in the first half. However, Waverley adjusted at halftime, closing out harder on shooters and forcing the Blues into contested inside shots. The Falcons’ zone defense stifled Frankston’s motion offense, and their own transition game—led by quick outlet passes—generated easy looks. Waverley also won the rebounding battle 42–36, limiting second-chance points for the Blues.

Standout Players

Waverley’s point guard orchestrated the comeback with 18 points, 7 assists, and 4 steals, while their power forward contributed a double-double of 14 points and 13 rebounds. For Frankston, their leading scorer poured in 22 points but struggled with efficiency after halftime, shooting just 7-of-20 from the field. The Blues’ bench was outscored 22–8, a key factor in the defeat.

Season Impact

The loss drops Frankston to a .500 record and raises questions about their ability to close out tight games. Waverley, meanwhile, picks up a valuable road win that moves them into contention for a top-four spot in the NBL1 South women’s standings. Both teams will look to build on their performances as the playoff picture begins to take shape.