Money’ Mike Okauru underlined his exceptional value to Newcastle Eagles by leading the fifth seed Tynesiders to a sensational road win at number one ranked London Lions.

The US sharpshooter led voting in the Molten All-League Team of the Year selections in the build-up to a mouthwatering playoff semi-final tie.

And Okauru utterly eclipsed next man up Aaryn Rai as the London star struggled to impose himself on a determined Newcastle defence.

That the Eagles’ stretched seven-man rotation beat the Lions in their own backyard must rank as one of the biggest results of the Super League Basketball season.

But a 77-71 victory leaves little breathing space for the men in black as they brace for a London backlash at the Vertu Motors Arena on Sunday.

Okauru backed up a game-leading 25 points with five rebounds and four assists as Marc Steutel’s men executed the perfect gameplan.

Newcastle dominated the second half despite missing Darius Defoe and De’Sean Allen-Eikens.

And the Lions had no answer to a well-drilled Eagles’ roster that dictated the pace, forced 18 turnovers and racked up 10 steals.

Heroic displays peppered the Copper Box court with former London pair Josh Ward-Hibbert and Will Neighbour both drafted into a scratch starting five.

The former bagged 12 votes from SLB coaches, captains and the media to claim his place in the Molten All-Defensive Team of the Year.

And while Ward-Hibbert still looks a long way off full match fitness, Newcastle’s warrior guard went about his business with trademark zeal.

Neighbour played just three minutes of the Eagles’ two-legged quarter-final tie against Manchester but the wily veteran was back with a bang for the Final Fours.

And the experienced big man claimed 11 points and two steals in 18 minutes — a much needed contribution as the injury-hit visitors looked to manage their meagre resources.

Cole Long came within a point and a board of bagging a famous double double as the locked in Canadian played with the consistency and composure that’s guaranteed crowd favourite status at the VMA.

And if Trey Pulliam and Christian James — crucial to Newcastle sealing fifth spot in the regular season — struggled to click offensively then both players proved a constant thorn in the Lions’ side.

Seneca Knight completed Steutel’s focused seven-man line-up and if one rebound was well below his postseason average then 13 points from the all-action American kept Petar Bozic’s men keen.

Neither team shot the ball effectively from beyond the arc and London will likely improve on Friday’s three from 20 three-point shooting when a finely poised semi-final resumes.

Newcastle will be keen to get back to their best from the bonus stripe after allowing eight free throw opportunities slip through their hands in the capital — this from a team that shot more than 80 per cent (34/41) across both legs against Manchester.

But Steutel will be more than satisfied with a stunning tactical victory that further boosts the Great Britain playcaller’s reputation as one of Europe’s fastest-rising playcallers.

And the next 40 minutes will determine whether a good season becomes a great one as the 2025 SLB Trophy winners look to contest a third final in five months.