Newcastle Eagles will finish eighth in the SLB standings for the 2025/26 regular season after a thrilling but ultimately unsuccessful double-overtime 94-86 loss to Leicester Riders in the Vertu Arena on Friday night.

It means a two-legged play-off quarter final tie against the regular season champions London Lions who have also won the SLB Trophy and Cup and are looking for a clean sweep of National trophies.

Before that Head Coach Marc Steutel and his players have to go to Bristol to take on the Flyers in their last regular season fixture. Steutel gave his post-game thoughts about the Leicester loss and the game on Sunday at 3:00pm.

“Large portions of the game I was proud of. We got a lot of the looks we usually get a lot of looks and a lot we like but the ball just didn’t go in. For the most part we were solid on the defensive end.”

“There were a few things we scouted for tactically in isolated possessions we didn’t get right. But in a game where you have 22 extra possessions and you can’t get over the line it’s disappointing especially with Leicester shooting double the amount of free throws that we did.”

“For the most part we tried to defend without fouling. Ultimately two transition defensive possessions when we had a step forward in the game where we don’t understand the urgency of what’s next in particular, I remember.”

“We could have found a way to be more effective because they really hurt us. That’s nothing other than a mental application from players. To play 50 minutes of basketball and put a lot of good periods of play and possessions together and lose stings.”

“There was a two- or three-minute spell in the third where our offence wasn’t what it should have been. We weren’t poised and we were rushed. But after that a lot of those looks that we got were ones we’d have settled for.”

“We missed some ‘chippies’ some rhythm three’s and when you do it’s difficult. We offensively rebounded well and got the looks we like. Frustrated as I really felt we could get the job done tonight.”

“Frustrated for our fans who I’ll give a big shout out to tonight. This place was electric and they were so loud the guys couldn’t even here themselves with each other at times. They gave great support and we couldn’t reward them.”

“The locker room is hurting. There are a lot of stories and twists and turns in the season where we’ve ended up here. It’s been frustrating as we could have got over the line in a few of those games, but the trust and belief hasn’t been there in those moments.”

So, Newcastle have to try and put what happened on Friday behind them quickly as Steutel contemplated that trip to Bristol.

“I wanted Bristol to be meaningful. When you wear a Newcastle Eagles jersey in a competitive game it should be meaningful. That’s going to be our approach. Last time down there we put a really good performance together and I’m sure Bristol will have that in their minds.”

“We’ve got to try and find a way to get through and continue to play good basketball which we have for long spells this season. It’s those momentum swing plays those winning plays which haven’t gone our way that have defined our season.”

“So, on Sunday we want to build some momentum and finish the regular season on a win and then try and throw all that we can at London in the play-offs,” he concluded.

The game is live and free to watch on DAZN.