Newcastle Eagles (16,39,67) 89 - 93 (24,49,61) Sheffield Sharks

Cook 36

Toney 19

Patton 17

Smith 17

Bridge 15

Chapman 15

Stewart 15

Sheffield Sharks extended their lead at the top of the BBL Championship after beating second placed Newcastle Eagles 89-93 in the north east.

The Sharks were the dominant side throughout but allowed an 18-point second quarter lead to slip through their fingers before turning round a six-point deficit themselves to finally see off the reigning champions.

Led once again by Mike Cook on 36 points the Sharks began brightly and held a 14-24 lead before Eagles Aaron Nielsen cut the margin to 16-24 after ten minutes.

Sheffield turned on the style in the second quarter, putting together a 3-15 run to lead 23-41 midway through the period. Newcastle rallied to trail 39-49 at half time.

Newcastle dominated the third quarter with some excellent play. Sharks’ lead quickly disappeared as Andrew Bridge, Charles Smith and Reggie Jackson all made three-pointers.

The match was tied at 51-51 before Joe Chapman and Jackson again connected from long range to send Eagles into the final stanza 67-61 on top.

A 9-0 run by Sheffield gave the visitors the lead back at 67-70. Eagles tied it at 70-70 and led for the last time at 78-77. From there it was all Sharks as a Todd Cauthorn three began a 10-2 run that gave Sheffield enough of a margin to take a priceless victory.

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