Newcastle Eagles moved themselves into joint third position in the BBL Championship table thanks to a comfortable 118-80 victory over the Worthing Thunder at Sport Central on Friday evening.

It was the visitors however that started the game the stronger as they opened up an early 9-11 lead, but a Trey Moore free-throw sparked an 18-5 burst to end the first quarter with the Eagles leading 27-16.

A 10-3 tear for the Eagles midway through the second quarter saw the home side take the score out to 43-28, but the visitors responded immediately with an 11-2 run of their own to trim the deficit to just six points at 45-39. The Eagles finished the half the stronger as they bagged seven of the last 11 points of the second quarter to head into the locker rooms leading 52-43 at the half.

The second half saw both sides trading baskets through the early stages of the third period, but the Eagles kept their noses in front and a 14-3 finish to the quarter helped the Eagles extend their lead further as they headed into the final stanza leading 87-56.

In the final quarter the visitors tried valiantly to get themselves back into the game but the home side proved too strong as they continued to open up their lead throughout the final moments of the game and enjoyed their biggest lead of the game at the end at 118-80 as the Eagles enjoyed a comfortable night at the office.

Joe Chapman led all scorers in the game with 26 points for the Eagles, ably assisted by Moore with 24 and Charles Smith with 21 points respectively, while Adam Williams led the scoring for Worthing with 20 points personal.

The win ensures that the Eagles remain unbeaten at home in league games in 2010 and their 100% record at Sport Central.