Newcastle Eagles are looking to bounce back in Nottingham this afternoon to consolidate their top four Super League Basketball Championship and keep the dream of a home quarter-final playoff game alive.

They travel to take on a Wildcats side languishing in 10^th place in The SLB Women’s Championship and who with a 3 wins 15 loss record can no longer make the playoff places.

On paper it should be a regulation straightforward Eagles win but as the game is nt played on paper rather it takes place on the hardwood and Newcastle know they have a job to do and will pay due respect to Nottingham.

Last weekend to score 106 points at Sheffield and not come away with a win was a blow to Chloe Gaynor’s side. But there were also plenty of positives to take. One was the superb leadership of point guard Lauren Saiki.

The on-court general produced an excellent double-double of 16 points and an astonishing 16 assists as well as flirting with a triple-double by leading her side in rebounds with 7. Saiki spoke about both the Sheffield loss and Nottingham challenge.

“It was a nice double header with the men. We had a great fan bus going down and it was a good performance at both ends. It was a great shooting night and defensively we were solid.”

“It came down to a few plays that we could have done differently but we take heart from the performance have thing to look forward and take towards us going into this last part of the season and the playoffs.”

“I just tried to do whatever my team needed out there. People were hitting the right shots off my reads. It was a fun atmosphere to be in on the road and we might yet be back there to see it all through.”

“It’s always disappointing when you don’t come out with a win especially after a performance like that. You’d think that after putting up over 100 points you’d win the game but it wasn’t to be. But we have some positives to go forward with.”

Positives that Newcastle need to take into a game that sees them come up against a side they beat comfortably 89 – 64 earlier in the season at home. Saiki knows though it’s still a tough game where her side needs to take care of business.

“No games a given especially in this League. Nottingham on record haven’t had a strong season. However, they make it difficult when they sit in a zone and then switch it up.”

“They have some height and play pretty physical. So, we’ve been working all week on some things to prepare to combat all that that and I think we’ll be ready for their challenge.”

“This is the last big road trip of the regular season as next weekend we have our last home game on Saturday and then a quick turnaround and go to Durham the next day for the derby.”

“We’re looking forward to that and having a big crowd for the finale but before that we have to concentrate on Nottingham and getting the job done there so we can take some momentum into those games and build towards the playoffs.”

It has been a wonderful regular season so far for The Eagles and it’s clear from Saiki’s words and thoughts that the whole side is together and want to keep the progress going right to the end.

Next weekend it’s the final regular season game for our Eagles when Manchester visit the Vertu Motors Arena and tickets for the ‘Season Finale’ are on sale now.