Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | Result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Eagles | 14 | 19 | 15 | 36 | 84 | Win |
CSO Voluntari | 19 | 21 | 21 | 19 | 80 | Loss |
Marc Steutel hailed the ‘electric’ finish to a sparkling Newcastle Eagles display as the comeback kings erased a 17-point fourth quarter deficit to clinch a franchise-defining win.
The men in black won 27 trophies on their way to becoming British basketball’s most successful side under Fabulous Flournoy and Ian MacLeod.
But make no mistake — a come-from-behind 84-80 victory against a CSO Voluntari side on a nine-game winning streak must go down as one of the biggest results in the club’s storied history.
Newcastle piled on 36 points in the final nine minutes and closed out a midweek thriller with a blistering 16-0 tear to take control at the top of Group A in the European North Basketball League (ENBL).
And on an incredible night at the Vertu Motors Arena, star men Mike Okauru and De’Sean Allen-Ekiens combined for 28 fourth quarter points.
“This team’s never beat,” beamed Steutel after his never-say-die roster moved to 5-0 in the competition — just a win away from guaranteeing a playoff spot.
“This team’s really, really connected in different moments. I think that was nothing but a character win for the team. I’m so pleased for them.
“They frustrate me at times and I’m sure I frustrate them but I’m really proud of them. That was a hugely important players’ win.”
Newcastle trailed a previously unbeaten CSO from the tip before finally snatching the lead on the back of a clutch Okaru bucket with 37 seconds to go.
And the gutsy Eagles fell just seven points short of the ENBL record for a fourth quarter after exploding on offence against the stunned Romanians.
“CSO are really talented and really well disciplined in what they want to do so we knew we had a game on our hands,” added Steutel. “I’m proud of that electric fourth quarter.
“There are a lot of really good teams in this competition with a lot of heritage but all that does now is set up another really important game for us on the road next week against Valmiera.
“But we’re full of confidence. Even when we weren’t in rhythm or flow against CSO our fans were with us and loud and helping us out. It was electric. What a night!”
Okauru scored 15 of his 23 points in the final stanza and Allen-Eikens posted 13 of his 20 points in the final 10 minutes.
Both players had previously struggled to unlock a tight CSO defence but Newcastle’s trademark will to win down the stretch proved to be the difference.
“I’ve been saying this since I got here but the energy around this club carries us,” added Okauru. “We’ve got the best fans in our domestic league.
“The energy from the stands helped us with the comeback.
“That’s just the type of team we are. We called a timeout and everyone said ‘we’ve got to give it our all’.
“We’ve been down before and we’ve never given up. We’re a team that fights until the end. It meant a lot to get that win.
“It’s big goal for the owner, Paul, who’s always wanted to see Newcastle Eagles in Europe.
“That result’s going to keep pushing the name of Newcastle Eagles out there and keep growing basketball in Great Britain.”
CSO scored their last points with almost four minutes to play as the hosts pulled off a series of crowd-pleasing stops under the defensive glass.
But a sensational momentum swing was underpinned by a series of eye-catching finishes at the offensive end — an Okauru dunk in transition the standout highlight.
Now attention turns to the first leg of what will be a mouthwatering Super League Basketball Trophy semi-final at home to fierce rivals Leicester Riders on Friday. Tickets are available on the box office.