Leicester Riders 90 (24,45,73) (Anderson 20, Hassan 13, Washington 12, Bernardini 12)

The dream season continued for Esh Group Eagles Newcastle, who earned another piece of silverware on Sunday after triumphing 96-90 against Leicester Riders in a nerve-racking BBL Trophy Final at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow.

Team captain Charles Smith, who scored 14 points in the final quarter, including four three-pointers, received the MVP honours after his clutch play down the stretch helped the BBL Championship leaders and BBL Cup winners to keep the hopes of a BBL triple crown alive.

There were no early-game jitters from either side, with both teams starting the first period with a barrage of three-pointers. Having gone 5-of-8 from long range in the opening frame, Eagles opened up a 28-24 lead, with Scott Martin leading the way with nine points.

After a positive start, Newcastle slowed down in the second quarter and Riders used this opportunity to level the game at 45-all at the halftime break.

Leicester led by as many as nine points in the third quarter, but Eagles erased the deficit with a 14-4 run. However, a three-pointer by Jamell Anderson right at the buzzer allowed Riders to carry over a two-point edge into the final period.

Trailing by five points midway through the fourth quarter, Eagles clawed back into the game and regained the lead at 90-88 after Charles Smith nailed a three-pointer to complete the turnaround, as Newcastle went on to seal the trophy from the free-throw stripe.

Scott Martin had 20 points, Smith finished the game with 18 points and seven rebounds, while Rahmon Fletcher chipped in with 18 points and eight assists.

For Riders, Jamell Anderson had 20 points on 8-of-10 shooting, with Neil Watson adding a double-double of 10 points and 13 assists.