Eagles unstoppable so far this season

On a busy weekend of action around the British Basketball League, four teams booked their place in the Quarter-Finals of the BBL Cup.

The standout game was in Guildford as London Lions needed overtime to defeat Surrey Scorchers, 89-81.

The visiting Lions were in control for most of the game and led 63-47 heading into the final quarter.

But the short-handed Scorchers were not about to give up and behind the sharp-shooting of Henry Wilkins, Surrey erased a 16-point deficit to force the extra period.

Just as it looked as if the Lions would let the game slip away, they responded with a strong showing in overtime, outscoring the home side, 12-4.

“We were in control for most of the game, but then we had some mental lapses,” said Lions’ Jamal Williams.

“But it’s still early in the season, we’re still getting to know each other and we hadn’t really been in a really close game, so it was good that we were able to get a win with that adversity.”

Williams added, “Surrey hit some big shots and made some big plays, so credit to them for putting up a good fight.

“I’m just happy we were able to stick together and pull out that big win.”

Lions’ Jaron Lane led all scorers with 18 points.

Glasgow Rocks, who reached the prestigious Final last season, are one step closer to a possible return to the Barclaycard Arena in Birmingham after their 84-65 victory over Leeds Force.

D’Andre Bullard’s 23-point haul was in vain for Leeds, as the Rocks were paced to victory by 18 points from Warren Gillis and a double-double of 16 points and 10 rebounds from Kieron Achara.

“It was a pretty good win,” said Rocks’ coach Sterling Davis.

“We just wanted to focus on continuing to progress and becoming more efficient.

“It was somewhat of a sloppy game at times, but I credit the guys for coming away with the win.”

After reaching the Cup Semi-Final in their first season, Bristol Flyers are on course to repeat that feat after their 88-77 win at Plymouth Raiders on Saturday.

After a closely-fought first half, the Flyers began to take control in the second half, in part thanks to a game -high 23 points from Mathias Seilund.

Photo – MPhotography

Also through to the next round are the Sheffield Sharks, who defeated Manchester Giants 82-77 behind 20 points from Mike Tuck.

The Sharks dominated for long stretches, but led by Stefan Gill’s game-high 26 points, the visitors got to within a point in the final minute before the Sharks were able to seal the game from the free throw line.

Babalola on a different bench at EISS. Photo – MPhotography

Meanwhile in the BBL Championship, Esh Group Eagles Newcastle romped to a 118-80 victory over Cheshire Phoenix, with Charles Smith leading the Eagles with a spectacular triple-double of 21 points, 12 assists and 10 rebounds.

Leicester Riders moved into second place thanks to victories at Leeds Force, 87-59, and home to Manchester Giants, 82-62.

Jamell Anderson’s 15-point haul helped secured the win in Leeds, while TrayVonn Wright had 20 points and an impressive five blocked shots in the Manchester win.

Finally, Worcester Wolves sit just behind the Riders following their hard-fought 92-85 win over Glasgow Rocks. Wolves’ Javier Mugica had 26 points on his return to the side after injury had forced him to miss the previous game.

Story – BBL