Essex Pirates 46 (11,22,33) (Rodrigo 10, Adu 7, Mumuni 7, Toulwase 7)
Newcastle Eagles 97 (25,49,73) (Chapman 22, Jackson 22, Defoe 15)

Newcastle Eagles maintained the pressure at the top of the BBL with a comfortable 46-97 win in Southend against Essex Pirates.

From 3-2 down the Eagles went on runs of 8-0 and 9- 0 in the first quarter to lead 11-25 after ten minutes.

A 12-0 burst early in the second saw them go 13-37 up and a 6-0 close to the half, with skipper Andrew Bridge hitting a three on the buzzer, made it 22- 49.

After an even beginning to the third quarter Eagles’ Reggie Jackson (pictured) nailed three consecutive three-pointers to put his team up by the 30.

And the margin was 40 at 33-73 when Bridge and Joe Chapman connected from long range to end the stanza. Newcastle didn’t relent in the final period, keeping Pirates from racking up 50 points while taking their lead beyond the half century.

Chapman and Jackson led all scorers with 22, with Darius Defoe chipping in with 15.