Newcastle Eagles edge out Leicester Riders to reach WBBL Cup final

By Bradley Gains on December 4, 2021

Image credit: Mansoor Ahmed / ahmedphotos

Newcastle Eagles ended the WBBL Cup reign of Leicester Riders as they secured a dramatic 50-45 triumph in Saturday’s semi-final.

Chris Bunten’s side set up a repeat showdown of the 2021 playoffs final with London Lions as they held on down the stretch in a tense encounter.

Ebony Horton led the way with a game-high 19 points along with three rebounds and three assists with Chloe Gaynor also in double figures with 12 points, six rebounds and three blocks.

Box score.

The Eagles led 27-24 at half-time, but the visitors surged ahead with a 16-7 third period and had a 36-43 advantage inside the final quarter. Chloe Gaynor scored six points in an 8-0 reply to put Newcastle briefly back ahead.

Oceana Hamilton’s free throws made it 44-45 with less than two minutes remaining and Jessica Eadsforth-Yates hit a big go-ahead triple and the Eagles would seal the win from the foul line, despite going 3-of-6 down the stretch.

Re-watch the semi-final below:

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