Week 11 – Sharks (10&2) Go back To The Top. Big Win For Giants

‘NIX’ DOMINIQUE COLEMAN BRINGS THE HAMMER DOWN AFTER THE SET-UP BY REGGIE MIDDLETON

Esh Group Eagles Newcastle avoided the worrying prospect of a third successive defeat by returning to winning ways in the BBL Championship with a crushing 104-73 success against Surrey United.

Malik Cooke lit up Sport Central with 34 points in a stellar display, as Eagles moved into third spot in the BBL Championship table and condemned bottom placed United to a twelfth consecutive league defeat.

BBL Cup holders Leicester Riders had to overcome a rough opening quarter in the second leg of the semi-final tie against Plymouth University Raiders, but registered a convincing 104-77 victory after solid play in the remainder of the game to advance to the final.

Having won the first leg by six points, the Leicester club trailed by as many as nine points (12-21) in the first period, but a monstrous performance by Jay Couisnard, who finished the night with 32 points, allowed Riders to turn the game around for a chance to defend the title.

One Health Sharks Sheffield are the new leaders of the BBL Championship after fighting back to beat Plymouth University Raiders 86-78 in Devon.

The Sharks trailed by 16 points in the second quarter but once they’d taken the lead in the final period the Sharks showed their resolve to pull away from their hosts.

Esh Group Newcastle Eagles are level with the Sharks on points at the top after they dominated the second half at Durham Wildcats to win 90-75.

London Lions are just two points behind following their 101-72 victory over Birmingham Knights at the Copper Box. Lions never looked in danger throughout the match to keep the Knights winless.

Another team without a score in the wins column is Surrey Heat and they were no match for Cheshire Phoenix duo Dominique Coleman and Reggie Middleton. The duo poured in 58 points between them as Phoenix won 96-63.

Manchester Giants completed a double for the BBL’s north-west teams as they beat Glasgow Rocks 98-87. Giants were on top for long periods but needed a late burst to hold off the Rocks who had trimmed a big deficit back to just three points.