Eagles hope for roaring success against Lions

IT is the biggest game and test of the season so far for the Eagles as Northumbria University Sport Central plays host to the first leg of the BBL Cup semi-final tonght (7.30), writes JEFF KING.

Standing in the way of the Eagles progressing to the final are the BBL leaders London Lions.

What adds even more spice to this encounter is that a fortnight ago in London Newcastle went down to a damaging Championship defeat 96-78 to tonight’s visitors.

However, as Eagles’ veteran guard Drew Lasker commented earlier this week, this is a different game in a different competition with different pressure.

Part of that pressure is knowing the result will be decided over 80 minutes of basketball with a second leg to be played at the 2012 Olympic Copperbox Arena venue on Sunday (5.00).

The Eagles will therefore be looking not just to win tonight’s game but take a defendable lead to London for the return leg.

However, many suspect that, whatever the result of tonight’s game, both teams will still have plenty to play for as they battle to get to the BBL Cup final at Arena Birmingham on January 27 for the league’s first showcase event of the season.

The Lions have roared out of the blocks so far this season.

As well as reaching tonight’s semi-final also have a 9-2 league record which has seen them earn that top spot in the league.

When the Eagles lost in the Lions Den a fortnight ago it was Ladarius Tabb and Justin Robinson who led the home side to victory.

Tabb had a huge double-double of 30 points and 14 rebounds and is one of the league’s leading lights - averaging 19.1 points and 8.7 rebounds a game.

Robinson is the reigning BBL MVP and a current Great Britain International.

He netted 17 points and dished out eight assists in that game and these two will draw the main focus of an Eagles side looking to lockdown the dangerous Lions.

Eagles’ mercurial point guard Rahmon Fletcher is looking forward to the game and is aware of its importance.

He said: “I am really excited. It is always great playing in a semi-final and it is an opportunity to move forward in the competition with the first silverware up for grabs of the season.

“Both teams are familiar with one another because we just played a week ago.”