On the face of it a 25-point win for the Eagles to bounce back from their defeat seven days prior to Sheffield Hatters looks a comfortable outcome. It was anything but as for the first three quarters there was little between the sides.

Indeed, the Wildcats who came into the game with a 2 wins 6 losses records made things very difficult for Newcastle especially in the first half. They employed a 1-2-1 zone defence that Head Coach Chloe Gaynor’s side found difficult to break down and find holes in.

But gradually as the game wore on her players found a way and three in particular shone. Guard Jada Guinn was simply sensational all night and found a great 1-2 punch with forward Tierra Hodges as they proved to be the biggest thorns in the Wildcats side.

Guinn had a remarkable 34 points only missing four shots all night and added in 5 rebounds and 6 assists for good measure. Hodges falling one rebound shy of yet another double-double with a powerful 24 points and 9 rebounds. However, two players alone very rarely win you a game.

The third wheel that helped cement Newcastle’s victory came from the bench and the continuing growing influence of rookie USA guard Kendall Currence. She ended with 16 points and 7 rebounds to support the Eagles top scoring duo and gave a huge energy spark to the team when on court.

The Eagles scrapped it out in a high intensity and faced paced opening to the game. Twice Nottingham led by 3 points in the first ten minutes but at 14 – 17 down Currence started an eight-point unanswered run that enabled Newcastle to take the first period by 24 to 19.

They were never behind again in the rest of the game. A level second period at 18-points each when on three occasions Nottingham got to within a single point of Newcastle before being fought off meant the sides went into the locker rooms with the Eagles five-points in front.

Gaynor’s team then won the third quarter by five points giving them a 62 – 52 lead to take into the final stanza and that’s when they stepped up big style at both ends of the court and in particular at the defensive end which enabled them to spark great offence.

They completely locked the Wildcats down for almost nine minutes of the final ten only allowing their opponents 5 points in that time to actually push their lead up to 32 points at one stage. Guinn made basket after basket as she was unstoppable and Hodges was her twin tormentor in crime.

Add in Currence’s support and it all added up to a fifth win in six games coached for Gaynor, a return to winning ways and seeing off a side that could well be a play-off rival as the season progresses. It’s wins like this that are vitally important for Newcastle as they build momentum going forward.

The victory lifts them to third in the Super League Basketball standings and takes their overall record to 5 wins and 2 losses which is a very satisfying return for a side that continues to play an attacking fast-paced entertaining style of basketball that excites and thrills their committed fan base.

Gaynor’s side host the North East derby for Saturday night basketball next month when Durham visit Newcastle on February 15th. Tickets are available now from the box office.