Cole Long’s impressive double double couldn’t save Newcastle Eagles from pre-season defeat as the Surrey 89ers claimed a comfortable win on Tyneside.

Long looked hungry throughout as he added two assists and a block to a stacked stat line.

But with only three Eagles stars hitting double figures, the Canadian all-rounder’s Herculean effort wasn’t enough to sink battling Surrey.

The visitors shot the lights out during a dynamic first quarter that often saw Newcastle’s new-look roster chasing shadows.

A volley of three-pointers put the men in black on the back foot from the tip as the Eagles’ starting five struggled to settle.

And Surrey seized every opportunity to bag some big points from the perimeter — sinking nine from 15 from beyond the arc before half-time.

The 89ers led 36-17 after a dominant opening period with coach Steutel employing a series of fresh rotations in a bid to stem the flow.

But it was only when Josh Ward-Hibbert found his range during quarter two that Newcastle began to click into second gear.

Supported by Seneca Knight and Cole Long, the returning GB star set about trimming a hefty double-digit deficit.

And six successive points from the hot hands of Ward-Hibbert hauled the hosts back into contention.

Still trailing by 16 at the half, the Eagles at least looked competitive as they snatched a high energy second period 23-20.

But Steutel’s men had it all to do as they looked to clinch an unlikely come-from-behind win.

If Newcastle’s coaching staff were looking for positives then all 10 players saw key court time before the break.

And with the sidelined Jordan Spencer still to come it’s clear the Eagles boast an abundance of backcourt options heading into the inaugural season of Super League Basketball (SLB).

As Surrey looked to get back on top, the home side found more joy in the paint and Knight finished a strong move under the glass to reduce the 89ers’ lead to nine points.

De’Sean Allen-Aikens completed a crucial three-point play as Newcastle continued to eat into their rivals’ advantage.

And the comeback win was on with the visitors leading 68-61 heading into the fourth quarter.

Disappointingly for the Vertu Motors Arena faithful, Surrey were far from finished and Lloyd Gardner’s roster closed out a tough clash the stronger of the two teams.

With five players in double figures — and Dame Adelekun bagging an eye-catching double double of 16 points and 12 rebounds — the 89ers still had plenty in reseve down the stretch.

And the Eagles will need to be sharper in every department if they’re to bounce back to winning ways against Bristol on Tuesday.