NICOLE Munger was the star of the show for the Newcastle Falcons as they defeated the Sutherland Sharks by seven points in the National Basketball League (NBL)1 East Women’s 2024 Grand Final on the weekend.

Both sides had produced impressive postseasons, both with the Falcons and Sharks making the Grand Final from fourth and fifth respectively. They each had to go through some tough opponents, including the ladder-leading Albury-Wodonga Bandits, setting up a clash between the two in-form teams of the competition.

The Sharks got the upper hand in the opening term, with an Olivia White lay-up late in the period giving them a five-point lead at quarter time. The script was flipped in the second quarter, with the Falcons taking control of the match, posting 30 points to turn their deficit into a three-point buffer at the main break.

Sutherland managed to get that down to one point heading into the fourth, but Newcastle delivered down the stretch to snag a victory to the tune of seven points.

Munger was a force to be reckoned with on the big stage, and delivered when her team needed someone to step up.

Newcastle Falcons (85) def. Sutherland Sharks (78)

Nicole Munger – 22 points, 17 rebounds, four assists, two steals

The cream rises to the crop in the big games, and Munger stood up for the Falcons with a match-defining performance at Penrith Valley Regional Sports Centre on Saturday afternoon.

Munger’s 22 points were the best of any Newcastle player, shooting 6/16 from the field and seemingly getting free reign to get to her spots and put up plenty of field goal attempts.

She looked to take the defence off the dribble and attack the rim wherever possible. Using screens from her teammates to create space, Munger was relentless on her drives, unfazed by the defender in front of her and finishing at the basket whenever possible.

There were several occasions where Munger was able to push through contact for and-one opportunities in a strong showing of strength on the drive. If given a decent look at the hoop, Munger would pick up the pace and hit the paint at speed.

She was also able to knock down a couple of three-pointers, backing herself in isolation and hitting long range shots over the top of her opponent in a true display of her offensive arsenal.

Munger was also relentless on the glass, pulling down a game-high 17 rebounds in a commanding display in the skies. 15 came on the defensive end as she looked to spark some transition offence for the Falcons.

In the biggest game of the 2024 season, Munger was always going to play a key role, and she proved to be the top performer for the champions.