Newcastle Eagles 98 (23,46,68) (Moore 22, Smith 21, Defoe 17)
Guildford Heat 80 (22,43,54) (Martin 22, McKnight 17, Howell 15)

Newcastle Eagles opened up a four point gap at the top of the BBL Championship table thanks to a 98-80 victory in the dress rehearsal for the BBL Trophy Final at the Metro Radio Arena on Friday night.

Both sides traded baskets throughout the early exchanges, and it was the Eagles who led 23-22 at the end of the opening ten minutes of basketball.

In the second quarter a 7-0 run from the Heat took the score out to 23-29 before six points from Charles Smith instigated a 12-2 response from the home side to give them the lead back at 35-31. The sides continued to trade baskets throughout the remainder of the period with the Eagles heading in at the half leading by three points at 46-43.

In the second half the home side began to stamp their authority on the game and started to stretch away from their opponents and lead 68-54 going into the final stanza.

In the final stanza the Heat tried valiantly to get themselves back into the game but could get no closer than eleven points at 77-66 as the Eagles, who enjoyed their biggest lead of the game at 93-73, ran out eventual winners.

Trey Moore led the scoring for the Eagles with 22 points, while Mike Martin led the Heat scoring with 22 points personal also.