Newcastle Eagles’ six-game winning streak was finally snapped as Valmiera Glass VIA closed out a tight affair in Latvia.

The men in black headed east buoyed by a 100 per cent record in this season’s European North Basketball League (ENBL).

But Seneca Knight’s former club stayed strong down the stretch to throw Group A wide open.

And it’s now a case of ‘win and in’ when Newcastle host BK Opava at the Vertu Motors Arena early next month.

Not for the first time this season the Eagles took a thrilling affair down to the wire but a Christian James triple with a second on the clock was too little too late.

That closed the gap to within a score but by then Valmiera had done just enough to dent Group A’s only remaining unbeaten record.

Newcastle touched down on Latvian soil with a strong roster spearheaded by last season’s top scorer Knight.

The US forward starred against the Eagles in the 2023/24 competition and his consistently impressive ENBL form secured a move to Tyneside.

Only last month Knight claimed to be one of European basketball’s top performers after an MVP display in Poland.

But Valmiera had their former player’s number for most of the night as he managed just seven points and three boards in 29 frustrating minutes.

The visitors trailed 19-16 after a cagey first quarter but Marc Steutel’s men took a one-point lead into the half.

Newcastle hadn’t arrived at the summit of Group A by accident and the Eagles showed all of their trademark steel and focus to take a deserved advantage into the break.

Nothing could separate the two teams during a classic third quarter but with Knight well shackled, leading scorer Mike Okauru found offensive support in the shape of James and Carl Long.

And it was all to play for during a tense final period inside the rocking Valmiera Olympic Centre.

James has slotted seamlessly into his Newcastle role and the experienced American added six rebounds and two assists to 13 points inside 24 minutes.

The in-form Long enjoyed 30 minutes on court as he racked up 10 points and four boards.

But it was 26-point Okauru who always looked the most likely to emerge as the Eagles’ match winner.

Ultimately even he couldn’t prevent the Eagles slipping to a first loss since November 10 — a defeat that delays the club’s seemingly inevitable march towards this season’s ENBL quarter-finals.

With the battle of the boards tied at 39 Steutel must have been impressed with his team’s Herculean effort under the glass.

And but for a controversial unsportsmanlike foul call, that seemed to tip momentum in Valmiera’s favour, it could have been a very different story.

Newcastle are still firm favourites to book their place in next year’s ENBL post-season with games against Opava and struggling Tartu to come in 2025.

But for now attention turns to Sunday’s showdown at Leicester Riders and a Championship clash that splits the two teams’ evenly poised two-legged Trophy semi-final tie.

Tickets for the home game against BK Opava on Tuesday 7 January are on sale now from the box office.