BBL Championship
Newcastle Eagles 86 (27,47,65) (Gause 18, Smith 15, Defoe/Thomson 14)
One Health Sharks Sheffield 67 (15,30,51) (Reinking 18, Tuck 12, Babalola 11)

Newcastle Eagles kept their impressive run of form in the BBL Championship as they enjoyed a comfortable 86-67 victory over the One Health Sharks Sheffield at Sport Central on Friday evening to keep the Eagles on top of the Championship table.

The home side started the game strongly with an 9-0 run to open the game but the Sharks responded immediately with a 7-0 burst to close the deficit to 9-7. The home side kept the Sharks at bay for the remainder of the quarter as a three-pointer from Andrew Bridge and a three-point play from Paul Gause to end the first period leading by 12 points at 27-15.

In the second quarter both sides traded baskets for the majority of the period, but the Eagles ended the half on top with a 10-3 tear to head into the locker rooms leading 47-30 at the half.

In the second half both sides traded baskets throughout the majority of the third period and despite the Sharks outscoring their hosts 18-21 throughout the quarter the Eagles headed into the final stanza leading 65-51.

In the final period a Nate Reinking basket for the Sharks got them to within 12 points at 71-59 but that was as close as the visitors would get in the contest before the Eagles kept their noses in front and enjoyed their biggest lead of the game at 86-67 to pick up the all-important victory.

Paul Gause led the home side in scoring with 18 points while Nate Reinking was the main man for the Sharks as he netted 18 points for the visitors in the defeat.