Game report: Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles 91-83 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks…
Even though Newcastle got off to a fast start, the Sharks managed to maintain a lead the whole second half and win. Sheffield’s victory puts them one spot below their rivals, Leicester Riders, and into fifth position. With a remarkable double-double of 18 points and 11 rebounds, Malek Green helped his side rally for a vital victory. Before Tajh Green finally got Newcastle going at the free throw line, both sides had a scoreless first few minutes of play due to their offensive struggles.
The Eagles played their second game of the weekend, but once they got going, they showed no symptoms of weariness.
Midway through the first quarter, Marc Steutel’s team pulled away from Sheffield, gaining confidence from their convincing victory over Surrey Scorchers on Friday night (March 22).
The visitors took a double-digit lead thanks to a series of goals scored in the paint by veteran forward Darius Defoe.
Atiba Lyons, the head coach of the Sharks, appeared to have stopped the bleeding when he drew his men in to gather themselves.Jalon Pipkins led the Sharks bench in a scoring surge from the pine, giving the home team a significant advantage. Marcus Delpeche, who was playing opposite his twin brother Malcolm, gave the second unit more aggressiveness and scoring as well.
For the rest of the half, the sides switched leads, with Jordan Johnson and Malek Green leading their respective teams.
But as the game approached halftime, Sheffield scored a run that gave them the largest lead of the match.
The Sharks led by six points when the teams withdrew to their changing rooms.Johnson’s return, who had displayed symptoms of an injury near the conclusion of the first half, gave Newcastle hope.
As the Geordies chipped away at the Sheffield lead, the guard remained as focused in as ever, creating opportunities in the lane and planning the offensive.
But the Sharks held their ground in the face of every Newcastle charge, led by the assured basket-attacking of Devearl Ramsey and Bennett Koch.
For the rest of the third quarter, Sheffield maintained its lead. Malek Green and RJ Eytle-Rock increased their total as the hosts dominated play to end the penultimate period ahead by 14 points.Newcastle appeared to lose patience in the last quarter as they were unable to break through a resolute Sheffield defense on a few possessions.
When Larry Austin Jr. made a free shot to cut the gap to less than ten points, they finally had some optimism.
With about five minutes left, Josh Ward-Hibbert, who was playing off the bench for Newcastle, made two three-pointers, and the game was over at that moment.
With four minutes remaining, Sheffield responded once more, propelled further ahead by crucial moves from Eytle-Rock and Green.
Newcastle attempted to find a way back into the game with Johnson back on the bench, but Sheffield handled business with a strong shutout.
