WOLVES END NEWCASTLE’S TROPHY REIGN
0-for-2. After losing their grip on the Cup, Newcastle Eagles will not be defending their BBL Trophy either after suffering a shock 94-88 defeat in their quarter-final with Worcester Wolves, as the last four were set.
It sends Paul James’ men onward to a last four tie with Leicester but the Eagles proved uncharacteristically fallible in the four quarter, giving up a 6-0 run when the game was tied at 71-71 with six minutes.
Inevitably, they fought back. However Worcester held firm, and paced by a game-high 34 points from Alex Owumi, they finished the strongest with a late 6-1 burst proving decisive.
Charles Smith led Newcastle with 23 points.
Worthing Thunder’s bid to become the first non-league side ever to reach the last four came up well short as they crashed to a 106-61 defeat to Cheshire Phoenix on Saturday.
Matt Lloyd’s side now face Sheffield for a place in the final in Glasgow in March.
Sunday night’s action in the BBL Championship saw the home side end up on top in all three games as Leicester Riders, Glasgow Rocks and Durham Wildcats securing important victories.
The Riders moved leapfrogged over Newcastle Eagles at the top of the table thanks to a convincing 72-51 victory over Sheffield.
21 points from Andrew Sullivan was the leading figure for the home side in the victory, but it was Jay Couisnard’s basket that sparked the game breaking 13-2 burst in the third quarter to take the score out to 52-39.
The Sharks tried valiantly to get themselves back into the contest, but they were unable to close the gap significantly, and the home side extended their lead further thanks to a 15-4 finish to the game to put the exclamation point on the result.
The Rocks claimed a share of third position in the table thanks to a hard-fought 94-84 victory over Plymouth Raiders at the Emirates Arena.
24 points from Donald Robinson was the main stay for the Rocks in the victory, while it was down to Michael Ojo to lead all scorers in the contest with 30 points for the Raiders.
The Rocks lead for the majority of the game, and despite the Raiders getting themselves right back in the contest trimming the gap back to five points at 81-76, but that was as close as the visitors would get as the Rocks held on for the all-important victory.
Durham Wildcats were made to work hard for the victory by the London Lions, but they eventually held on for the 89-84 success at the Newton Aycliffe Leisure Centre.
An impressive 29-point haul from Keith Page was the leading figure for the Wildcats, while a combination of Mike Martin and Orlan Jackman were the leading marks for the Lions with 18 points apiece.
The Wildcats lead by as many as 16 points at 80-64 in the final period, but a 17-3 burst from the Lions trimmed the deficit right back to two points at 83-81 but they were not able to get themselves in front as the Wildcats held on for the all-important victory to move themselves level with the Cheshire Phoenix and Manchester Giants in ninth position in the table.
Friday: Rocks roll
Donald Robinson hit a game-high 20 points as Glasgow Rocks mauled Mersey Tigers 97-58 to turn up the heat on the BBL’s top four.
After leading 46-39 at half-time, Sterling Davis’ men went on a third quarter spree as they reeled off 19 points in a row.
And hapless Mersey had no answer as the league’s bottom side slumped to a 23rd consecutive defeat this season.
Surrey continue to slump and after releasing Martelle McLemore, and failing to agree terms on a return for Travis Holmes, the Heat crashed to an 83-70 loss at Manchester Giants.
Stefan Gill had 28 points as the hosts pulled away in the fourth period.
London Lions charge into the play-off places was strengthened with a 94-81 win over Cheshire Phoenix.
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