Sometimes it takes more than just a team performance to get a win over the line in basketball. That was very evident on Friday night when a superstar performance from rookie professional Andrea Daley took Newcastle to a vital win in the Vertu Arena on Friday night.
The Eagles took down Leicester Riders on Friday night 76-72 after surviving a final period scare from the Riders. Newcastle led 40-34 at half-time and then a sensational effort from Daley lit up a third quarter when she scored 20 points personally gave them the platform to complete the victory.
Daley though was quick to praise her colleagues when talking after the win.
“It’s 100% about the team. Love that my teammates are able to set me up and thinks like that and I look to do the same for them. It’s just the team for real. We work so good together.”
“The competitive spirt that my teammates and I have is what drives us to continue to have some ups and also some downs. But like I said we got the win and that was what we wanted to do whatever it took to get it.”
Thanks largely to the League’s leading scorer and rebounder the Eagles went into the final ten minutes with a 68-50 lead and the game seemed over. But Riders produced a 22-8 final period that almost got them all the way back. Daley tried to explain that blip
“The fourth quarter we just got a little too confident and a little too relaxed when things are up. But we finished the game off strong and were able to get the win and that’s all that matters.”
Newcastle once again went into the game short-handed. Jada Dapaa still out injured, and she was joined on the sidelines by Maria Mongomo who announced during the week that she would miss the rest of the season due to pregnancy.
Daley summed up how hard it is to play with lesser numbers as well as giving a lot of praise to Mongomo for her efforts for the team.
“We work with what we’ve got, and we adapt well to things. Whatever five we have on court we’re just going to play as hard as we can and make it work no matter what.”
“Maria is a miss but it’s like she’s on the court because she’s always talking to us making sure that we’re making the adjustments and always talking to help us to adapt when we’re on court.”
The first-year professional is surprised by the level she’s playing at and the numbers she’s putting up. She had 33 points 10 rebounds and 6 steals on Friday and gave an insight to what has helped her.
“I had literally no clue at all this would happen but it’s just all glory to God. He has gotten me so far in my life and I’m just looking for and grateful to him.”
As for the rest of the season, she was very measured as to how she sees it panning out.
“We’re just taking it one game at a time and just truly seeing how far we can get and with this squad I think we’re going to get far with the people we have. We’re adapting every game and whatever five we have on the court we’ll be just fine.”
Next up is ‘The Big One.’ Thursday 4th April at 7:30pm in the Vertu Arena against Manchester when Daley and her teammates get to play using the whole facility and spectator spaces. It’s fair to say she’s excited about that.
“I’m really looking forward to playing on the full show court in front of a big crowd and playing for another big win.”
