After a slow start that saw Newcastle down by double-digits and losing the first quarter the Eagles bounced back in the remaining three quarters to take in the end a comfortable win on the road in Nottingham.

It was a win that lifted them back into third place in the standings and confirmed that they will have a home quarter-final in the end of season playoffs. Who they play in that game will depend on the results of their last two regular season games.

A win next time up against Manchester at home in the Vertu Motors Arena will confirm a game against the sixth-placed team which is likely to be Essex Rebels. Defeat to Manchester would leave Coach Chloe Gaynor’s side to head to Durham for their last game needing to win the return derby game.

But that is all conjecture and to be contemplated and decided next weekend. For now Newcastle can be pleased with another solid all-round performance and great defence in the final three periods that saw them home to another great road victory.

The early going was tough. Particularly as Nottingham used their greater height and strength inside with Erin Antosh dominant to make the early running. Newcastle simply gave up too many offensive boards and in those opening minutes didn’t adhere to their game plan to disrupt the Wildcats.

But once Captain Tierra Hodges and Abby Lowe came off the bench to great effect and supplement the starters Newcastle gradually grew into the game and by the end of the forty minutes were totally in control of the game and the result.

Down by ten points at 18 to 8 in the first quarter, Lowe’s introduction and five points from Lauren Saiki enabled the Eagles to finish the opening ten minutes with a 9 – 2 run that got them back to within three points as they entered the second period.

Nottingham scored first through Antosh again but a Lowe triple gave Newcastle parity for the first time since the ball had been first tipped at 24-points all. It was the momentum Gaynor’s needed as they slowly but surely took the game over.

Shannon Hatch hit a deuce to give her side a 39 to 38 lead and Hodges hit two free throws as time expired in the first half to give Newcastle a three-point advantage to take into the locker rooms. They were never to be behind again and opened the second half in superb style.

Scoring the first nine unanswered points of the third quarter gave Newcastle a 12-point lead and completed a 22-point turnaround from that first period deficit. They held Nottingham scoreless from almost half of the period to establish their superiority.

The home side did cut the gap to single figures at 50 to 58 as the third closed but the writing was seemingly on the wall as Newcastle were now scoring freely and locking down on defence. Taking an eight-point advantage into the last ten minutes was the platform the Eagles needed.

And then another explosive start to that final quarter clinched the game long before the final buzzer. An excellent 13 points to 3 opening meant the visitor’s lead 71 to 53. Newcastle kept their foot though very much on the accelerator going up by 22-points on two occasions.

The hosts though did close out the game with a 9 to 3 run, all scored by the very impressive Antosh but it was never ever going to be enough as Newcastle in the end cruised to another great win with six players getting into double figures.

They were led almost inevitably by Jada Guinn with 18 points, 6 rebounds, 6 assists and 4 steals. Kendall Currence improving with every game also had 18 points adding 5 rebounds. Captain Tierra Hodges who hadn’t trained all week took the MVP honours for a heroic 11 points and 14 rebound double double.

That lack of training being the reason why she didn’t start but she looked fit and healthy as she helped her side power to the victory. Lauren Saiki had 11 points, 6 assists and 4 steals. Abby Lowe 11 points on 5/7 shooting adding in 4 assists and Shannon Hatch.

But perhaps the biggest statistics and the ones that show how much of a team effort this was and the togetherness this tightly knit bunch of girls were the 24 turnovers they forced and the 15 steals they made.

Great contributions that show a team that are prepared to fight and scrap for every single second of the forty-minute game time and one that knows the value of being on the same page and playing tough at the defensive end to springboard and implement the offensive power they possess.