The Newcastle Eagles at the ninth time of trying finally got over the line on Friday night to record only their third win of the SLB Championship with a 92 – 89 win over Surrey 89ers in a tough entertaining encounter that went right down to the wire.
Eagles recovered from a slow start to go up by double-digits by the end of the first quarter. They did though have to withstand a storm from Surrey through the second and third quarters when the visitors got back to within two points on occasion.
But led by 20-points from Deion Hammond, 17 from Gus Okafor and 10 each from Ray’Sean Taylor Mitch Clarke and Maceo Jack they actually finished the third period really well to take a 15-point lead into the final quarter and then withstood another Surrey burst to hold on for a vital win.
Head Coach Marc Steutel gave his thoughts on the win after the game.
“I’m happy for the group, I’m happy for the fans. I’ve experienced a range of different situations but the last few weeks have been particularly heavy. I think the group have continued to find a way to be exceptionally professional.”
“They have come in every day haven’t sulked and tried to work the right way. They’ve showed the right intent and I felt we were going to get over the line and get the weight off our backs. I think you saw that in the fourth quarter.”
“There were three or four decisions offensively that I maybe didn’t love but 90% of the basketball were the same looks we had in the previous three quarters. But the weight of the situation was there in the background.”
“For them to fight through it and make some of the key plays when they did and get keys tops when we did was really important. We held them to 18-points in the third and I’d love to have had another 18-point defensive quarter in the last.”
“But Surrey got to run off our good looks that we didn’t convert on. Essentially though I’m proud of the group, proud of the fans for staying with us. We appreciate them and love them. Hopefully at the end of the season they’re going to see how much this group cares.”
“I’m excited to see where we can get to. It’s one win and there’s still a long way to go but I’m so pleased for the group dealing with the weight of the situation as they did.”
Eagles now go to London this afternoon looking to see if they can follow up Friday with another win. Lions actually lost their unbeaten record on Friday in Bristol and Steutel referred to that when assessing his side’s task.
“Credit to Bristol they’re really rolling at the moment. It’s funny how a few months and games and situations can change teams. I adore our league. The challenges of the teams in our league. When you look at each game and each week and month and from one season to the next.”
“London’s mentality and approach on Sunday I’m sure they’ll want to bounce back against us. We’ve always regardless of the results have generally played well in the Capital. Our season isn’t defined on the four games against London.”
“Our season is going to be defined on the 4-game series against every other team. But we know we can go down there with a free swing, continue to play good basketball and feel proud we got a win on the board this weekend.”
“We want to go and see if we can get an upset on Sunday and see if we can take a scalp. We have to make sure we play our basketball and compete for forty minutes.”
Tip-off in The Copper Box Arena on Sunday afternoon is at 16:00pm.
