Eagles brought down to earth at tournament

THE first piece of silverware of the Brtish Basketball League season slipped out of Esh Group Eagles Newcastle’s grasp at the semi-final stage of the British Basketball All-Stars Tournament at The Copper Box, London yesterday, writes Jeff King.

In what is effectively basketball’s version of cricket’s T20 - with innovative rule changes including double-point golden buzzers, 12-minute games and a five-point basket line - the Eagles at least had the consolation of going out to the eventual champions.

That was the somewhat surprise winners Surrey Scorchers, who defeated Leicester Riders in a dramatic final which went to overtime.

The Scorchers came through 3633 in what was a tremendous advert for the BBL.

The Eagles began their campaign with a 45-40 win against Glasgow Rocks .

What a sensational game it turned out to be as Victor Moses’ triple and a two-point foul on Drew Lasker finally split the two sides after triple-overtime to set them up for their second game with a 45-40 success.

Next up in a winner-goesthrough to the semi-final game was Sheffield Sharks, who had surprised the Riders in their first game to take a memorable win to set up their chance to go straight through to the semi-final.

It was the Eagles who took the vcitory 31-24 to go through to the semi-final against the Scorchers.

The Eagles were over-riding favourites to take their place in the final but crashed out in perhaps the biggest shock of the afternoon.

They looked lacklustre and tired at the start and Surrey took advantage to take an early lead.

Newcastle played their golden buzzer early in an attempt to get them going with Victor Moses continuing his fine competition, netting two four-point buckets to out them in the lead.

With the Eagles only coming out level at the end of their buzzer it was advantage Surrey and they took their opportunity superbly, grabbing the lead during their own golden buzzer and then stretching away to take a deserved win 34- 24 and take their place in the final against the Riders.

Newcastle have a quick chance for revenge against Surrey as they return to BBL Championship action this coming Friday at Sport Central looking to keep their 100% record going as the Scorchers come to town.