Newcastle Falcons have slipped to third on the NBL1 East Conference men's ladder after stumbling to a 72-59 loss to southern rivals Central Coast Crusaders at Terrigal on Saturday.
It was Newcastle's second straight defeat, and third from their past four games, leaving them with an 11-6 win-loss record behind Canberra Gunners (13-5) and Maitland Mustangs (11-6). Maitland are second on tie-breaker rules because they have beaten Newcastle twice this season.
