Glasgow Rock-ed by Eagles’ super show
DESPITE being a man down, Newcastle Eagles dominated last night’s BBL Championship clash at Glasgow Rocks and came away with a superb 100-85 victory, writes JEFF KING.
The win was the Eagles’ second from as many games this season meaning they are yet to taste defeat in the league.
They also netted a century of points for the first time, which was some effort from a side which makes defence its priority.
However, it was defence, especially in a superb third-quarter finish, which sparked the offence which ultimately paved the way for Fab Flournoy’s team to maintain its 100% record.
Newcastle were led superbly by point guard Rahmon Fletcher, who dished assists out all game long finishing with 13 to add to 24 points.
Two of his main targets, forwards Victor Moses and captain Darius Defoe, were often the recipients of his penetrating passing ability.
Moses had 24 points, Defoe from the bench had one more and both were dominant inside, pulling down rebound after rebound.
They totally demoralised a Rocks outfit who tried to keep going throughout but ultimately had no answer to the swooping Eagles power.
Newcastle had parted company with Ahmad Thomas early in the week and it was veteran Drew Lasker who stepped in to his place in the starting line-up.
His usual energy and spark was there from the start.
It meant his team-mates fed off that and after the teams traded baskets early, the visitors made their move - led by Moses who had a superb first half to lead all scorers.
Down by a single point, the Eagles produced an excellent 12-2 burst which forced Glasgow to call the first time-out of the game.
Coming out of the tactical talk, Fletcher hit the home side with a three-point basket which gave his side a double-digit lead - and they were never headed again.
Rocks did close out the first ten minutes with the momentum but were still down by six at 27-21.
The second period was a war of attrition as both sides battled it out and slugged for position, the Eagles just edging it to lead 50-43.
The third quarter was where the game turned on its head and where Newcastle made the move which put them out of reach of the hosts.
The Rockse fought back to within two points at 63-61, forcing the Eagles ino a time-out.
Whatever was said by Flournoy and his coaching staff, it had the galvanising effect.
Newcastle simply blew Glasgow away, netting an incredible 17 unanswered points with Defoe in particular in dominating mode.
It meant Newcastle widened the gap to 82-63 with just the final quarter to play, the Eagles then playing at the pace they needed to close out a superb victory.
GLASGOW : Kenny Carpenter 21, Bouna Ndiaye 18, Greg Pryor 15. NEWCASTLE : Darius Defoe 25, Rahmon Fletcher 24, Victor Moses 24.