QUOTE OF THE WEEK

“We are still miles away from where we need to be. We have played very well in spurts but have also at times lost our cohesion at both ends. We are still fine-tuning various combinations while seeking to be far more consistent.

“Sheffield are obviously very similar to last year’s team. They have added Allen Payne, who has really impressed since the beginning of the season, but they are still very much a systematic well coached team with an extremely heady point guard.”

FAB FLOURNOY

EAGLES’ HEAD COACH

It was a good night for Leeds Force in the BBL Championship on Friday as they secured their first league success, 73-61 against Surrey United, thanks to a hot start at Carnegie Sports Arena.

The BBL newcomers had already enjoyed victory in the BBL Cup earlier in the season but were still waiting for a first victory in the league and began the game as if it was always going to be their night.

Matt Newby’s men burst out of the blocks on a 16-2 tear before the advantage reached 26-7 by the 10-minute mark.

There was no way back for United, despite some promising play from Elvisi Dusha and Kramer Knutson, as James McCann controlled the game from the point guard position.

McCann finished with a 10-point, 11-assist double-double while Will Hall top scored with 23 points.

Newcastle Eagles extended their winning streak to eight games with a 95-75 victory on the road at title rivals Sheffield Sharks, stretching their lead at the top of the BBL Championship.

The reigning champions seized the initiative from the first tip and led from start to finish, to secure their second success against Sharks this season.

All of Eagles’ starters scored in double figures, and Charles Smith scored 19 from the bench, as the lead continued to grow throughout.

Worcester Wolves produced a thrilling third-quarter turnaround before holding their nerve to down London Lions 83-78 at University of Worcester Arena on Friday.

Paul James’s men trailed by six points at the half-time break but exploded on a 20-4 run behind the dominant frontcourt play of Robert Thurman and the sharp-shooting of Chavis Holmes to turn the game.

Lions’ star point guard Zaire Taylor brought the game back to within a single possession in the final minute on his return for his former club. But Thurman hit back before Jamal Williams drained a dagger three-pointer to seal the win.

Home teams celebrated wins in the BBL Championship action on Saturday evening, as Manchester Giants thrashed Plymouth University Raiders, whilst Bristol Flyers capped the night off by snapping their four game losing streak in the league with a great comeback win.

There was no mercy in Lucozade Soccerdome in Manchester, as Giants routed the visiting Raiders 102-77 and climbed to the fourth spot in the table.

Ingus Bankevics led the winners with 20 points, while Brent Benson collected a game-high 21 for Plymouth.

Meanwhile, the league newcomers from Bristol trailed by double figures in the first half, but fought back to upset Sheffield Sharks 73-72 in to end the bad spell that club has recently been in.

Doug Herring and Greg Streete finished the game with 23 points apiece for Flyers.

BJ Holmes scored 22 points in a losing effort for Sharks.

Cheshire Phoenix and Durham Wildcats rode a roller-coaster of emotion at Northgate Arena and having been 16 points behind, the visitors looked like they were going to snatch it after taking the lead with a couple of minutes to go.

But, hometown Phoenix hit back and won 83-79 thanks to and ‘And-1’ play from Great Britain guard Devan Bailey with a handful of seconds left, while Taylor King led the winning team with 23 points.

There was home joy for Glasgow Rocks at they condemned Bristol Flyers to a fifth defeat in six BBL Championship games by cruising to a comfortable 107-82 home success off the back of a rapid-fire start to the contest.

Tayo Ogedengbe, Danny Huffor and JuJuan Smith did the bulk of the damage for the winning team with the latter starring most vividly after harvesting 22 points, nine rebounds and six assists.

In the final game of the weekend, Leicester Riders had to work hard to see off a determined Leeds Force, with only a late surge and 21 points from Neil Watson seeing them to a hard-fought 71-62 success live on BBLtv.

Sheffield born Will Hall had a 12 point and 10 rebound performance for Leeds in defeat.