Eagles hit by Scorchers’ late winner

NEWCASTLE Eagles missed the chance to secure second spot in the BBL Championship as they suffered a 112-111 defeat in overtime to the play-off-chasing Surrey Scorchers.

The Scorchers were led to their first win of the season over the Eagles by Chaz Rollins who claimed a double-double from of 30 points and 13 rebounds.

Rahmon Fletcher led the way for the visitors with 30 points and Deondre Parks (28) assisted the point-guard, but it was heartbreak at the end for the Eagles.

Surrey forced overtime with a late basket in regulation, and then Quincy Taylor’s basket in the final seconds of the game snatched victory from under Newcastle’s noses.

The hosts raced out the blocks and into an early lead, and an 11-2 run for Surrey handed them control midway through the quarter.

Parks opened up his account with a double, the guard leading the fightback with Fletcher and he reduced the deficit to two points.

The Scorchers, who sat just outside the play-offs before the game, were landing their shots and Gabriel McCray’s two-point jump-shot made it 27-20 after the first quarter.

Newcastle came back out strong and the lead changed hands several times.

Quincy Taylor brought up Surrey’s half-century before Albert Margai’s three-pointer on the half-time buzzer handed the hosts a 56-51 lead.

The lead changed hands several times but the two sides were level at the end of regulation, and the game went into overtime.

As overtime progressed it was a tied game when Parks landed a treble, and it looked like the Eagles were going to secure second spot when Parks’ jumpshot put them ahead with 16 seconds left. However, the hosts had other ideas and snatched victory with a basket from Taylor.

Flournoy’s side have a doubleheader against BBL Championship winners Leicester Riders next week and then their final game before the play-offs away to Sheffield Sharks.