Pride is restored by Bunten’s girls as they overcome Caledonia
DEAD rubber or dead serious? For Newcastle Eagles this was both.
Durham Palatinates might have claimed top spot in North One to qualify for this season’s WBBL Trophy semi-finals with room to spare.
However, for the Eagles there was still pride to play for – as well as Pride to play – before the resumption of league action next weekend.
Double doubles from dependable duo Kara Bonenberger and Giulia Simioni propelled the Eagles into Sunday’s eye-catching clash against Nottingham Wildcats on the back of an 80-64 victory.
A fast start from the pumped-up hosts proved Chris Bunten’s side was determined to put the club’s crossborder rivals in their place.
Eight Newcastle players made their presence felt before the first-quarter buzzer sounded.
A 32-20 lead was all the Eagles deserved after back-to-back triples from Kalina Axentieva had broken the game wide open midway through the opening period.
The hosts continued to dominate during the second quarter – a Bonenberger two taking the forward’s tally to 12 and extending Newcastle’s advantage to 17.
The Eagles led 51-37 heading into the half and looked odds-on to follow up the previous weekend’s overtime win against Durham with a more comfortable win against Pride.
Yet the Scots had raced away with the reverse fixture three weeks earlier - and Bart Sengers’ roster mounted a determined rearguard action after the break.
The Edinburgh-based side suddenly found its shooting range during a scrappy third quarter and moved to within five points of an increasingly nervy Newcastle heading into the final period. Coach Bunten went for an experienced five at the outset of the fourth quarter Steph Gandy, Bonenberger, Rachael Bland and skipper Simioni lining up alongside fit-again Georgia Ohrdorf.
A five boasting an abundance of top-flight experience set about closing out the win.
However, it was not until a powerful Bonenberger drive to the basket with less than six minutes left the Eagles could breathe easier.
That three-point play opened up an eight-point lead and an invaluable Axentieva two restored Newcastle’s double-digit advantage.