The reaction after a spectacular night in the Vertu Motors Arena after Saturday night’s massive 93 – 49 win over the Manchester Giants was one of confident and happiness.

The Eagles’ Women will go into next week’s playoff quarter final with real momentum and hope that they can continue the fine form they have shown in winning their last three games.

 


Eagles Women head into the Play-Offs on the back of a magnificent 93-49 victory over Manchester Giants. (Photos: Gary Forster)

It all meant that they secured the sixth seed and placing in the final Women’s British Basketball League table and will now travel to Sheffield to take on The Hatters in a one-off elimination game next Sunday afternoon.

Star British guard/forward Abby Lowe led Newcastle on the night with an excellent 25 points personal adding in 7 rebounds for good measure. She summed up her feelings immediately after the resounding victory.

“We’re good, we’re rolling. We’re on a roll and we’re ready for the playoffs. It was a really good way very good way to have the last home game and was a really good way to end the regular season and roll into the playoffs with all this energy with us.”


“I think we’ve shown a bit of inconsistency in the past and what we need in the playoffs is consistency throughout every single game and all the way through. When we play consistently with all five of us locked in together we’re really hard to stop.”

That’s certainly what Lowe and here teammates did on the night and she received excellent support from all around her on a night when a huge 813 fans saw Newcastle produce their best performance of the season.

Tierra Hodges who had 21 points and 18 rebounds, Marina Fernandez who had 18 points, Jada Dappa who had 16 points and 13 rebounds and Lauren Saiki with 6 points and 12 assists.

USA Forward Jada Dapaa returned from injury against Manchester Giants. (Photos: Gary Forster)

But Lowe as well as giving her teammates credit for their efforts also had a word for Head Coach Matt Newby and the uplift in everyone since his arrival.


“I think Matt coming in has been really good. The people around me are really good. Everyone here really believes in me’ Having so much positive reinforcement around me makes it a really good environment to thrive in.”

Thrive is certainly a good word to use as the Eagles certainly thrived on all the energy and positivity they’ve produced to end the regular season in flying style. Up next is that Hatters challenge.

“I think when we played Sheffield last time it was a tough, tough loss at home. So, I’m very happy to have them and to get the chance to avenge that game.”

That last loss to Sheffield was by a very narrow margin 76 – 74 and that was Newcastle without the powerful USA forward Dapaa who returned to the roster on Saturday night in fine style.

Lowe concluded her thoughts on Saturday by mentioning Dapaa and her importance to the team and how much of a difference it is to have her back available and just in time for the end of season competition.

“100% happy to have Jada back. With Katie (Nolan) out we needed another post player in. Jada is my partner in crime on defence. I love having her back. It was a great game to ease her back into so she’ll be ready for the playoffs, as are we.”