BBL Trophy
Newcastle Eagles 79 (22,43,58) (Smith 19, Moore 14, Bridge/Stewart 11)
Sheffield Sharks 92 (21,41,70) (Whyte 19, Sanders 18, Gorman 17)

Sheffield Sharks kept their hopes alive of qualifying for the semi-finals of the BBL Trophy thanks to a 79-92 victory over the Newcastle Eagles at the Newcastle Arena.

The Eagles are still in pole position in the group and a victory over the Scottish Rocks on Sunday evening will send them through, but if the Rocks win, then there is still a possibility that the Sharks can progress.

Both teams traded baskets throughout the first half, and it was the home side who held a slender two- point lead at 43-41 going into the locker rooms at the half.

In the second half, the Eagles netted the opening five points of the third period to lead 48-41. Both teams then traded baskets and the Eagles held onto a slender four-point lead at 55-51.

The Sharks took control of the game from that point onwards as they rattled off twelve points without reply to take the lead at 55-63. The Sharks then scored seven of the next ten points to finish the third period leading 58-70 going into the final stanza.

In the final quarter, the Sharks continued to stamp their authority on the game, and held on for the comfortable victory.

Charles Smith led the scoring for the Eagles with 19 points, while James Whyte led the scoring for the Sharks with 19 points also.