Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles were able to see off the B. Braun Sheffield Sharks after beating them to the score of 79-72.
Newcastle Eagles starting five: Rickey McGill, Larry Austin Jr., Josh Ward-Hibbert, Jordan Johnson, Marcus Delpeche
Sheffield
Sharks starting five:
Devearl Ramsey, Terrell Allen, Jalon Pipkins, Jordan Ratinho, Jubril Adekoya
The biggest surprise to the lineups was Tajh Green, who was recently voted as the second most likely to win MVP in the 2023/24 season, starting off the bench for the Eagles.
The Sharks
were able to start the game faster than the Eagles, with Sheffield being able
to take a 25-22 lead by the end of the first quarter. The story of the first
quarter was arguably the number of fouls with the Eagles constantly going to
the free-throw line in the first.
Sheffield were able to bully the Eagles throughout the first half, being able to put up 12 extra field goal attempts and Jalon Pipkins was the main player to benefit, leading the Sharks with a first-half high of 10 points off eight attempts.
Eagles star Tajh Green, however, ended the first half with what seemed to be a calf cramp after a failed offensive rebound attempt. However, he was able to start the second half in the lineup.
Newcastle were able to climb back into the game in the third quarter after being down 40-35 at the end of the first half. The Eagles could finally score from beyond the three-point line, making three, after not hitting a single three in the first half.
Sheffield saw themselves down for the first time going into the fourth quarter, with the score 56-54 to the Eagles.
The team
from the North-East were able to continue their boost from half-time and took the
game in the fourth quarter with Larry Austin Jr. and Jordan Johnson able to
steer the Eagles to the hard-fought win.
Tonight’s MVP was arguably Tajh Green who had an outstanding game with 17 points to go with 11 rebounds. However, his biggest play was finishing the incredible Eagles play with a thunderous alley-oop.
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