The Newcastle Eagles made it an excellent three from three in the Women’s Super League Basketball Championship with a superb 85-56 victory on the road against Nottingham Wildcats on Saturday evening.

The Eagles led 40-34 when the half-time buzzer went and looked well on their way to another crucial win with twenty minutes to play. But it was their second half performance which they took 45-22 that particularly pleased Head Coach Chloe Gaynor.

Commenting on her team’s second half showing Gaynor had this to say.

“I thought we had a strong second half, offensively started to move the ball a lot better and recognise advantages. Defensively we committed better to our coverages and kept them to 20 points in the half which is much better from us.”

Not that the first half was bad! Eagles scored the first six points of the game and were never pegged back thereafter nor were they ever behind at any stage in the game. They took the first quarter 25-14 and although losing the second still had the lead at the half.

Once again Andrea Daley was dominant, Alyssa Marin was in fine scoring form and Shanique Lucas contributed all over the court. Maria Mongomo who uncharacteristically missed shots early on also coming good by the end.

A powerhouse third quarter performance which included Daley, Marin and Lucas combining in a 17-2 run to break the game open and seal the deal long before the fourth quarter commenced. Eagles winning the third 32-13.

Once again like the previous week in their home win over London Lions, Newcastle had to do without four senior players on Saturday. Plus 18-year-old Grace Rae was also missing being involved with the Eagles Academy Under-18 side.

It mattered not as Gaynor paid tribute to the magnificent seven that got on court and who all played their parts despite the team being sort-handed as she praised her players.

“The team have done a tremendous job of adapting and battling through adversity. The strength of this team is the team itself and how they have each other’s backs.”

“They are growing into holding each other accountable and that is what is starting to make the difference from us – that was the difference at half time on Saturday.”

Marin took the MVP honours including five of nine triples in her 24 points to which she added six rebounds and four assists. Daley once again shone with another double-double of 26 points and 10 rebounds.

Double-double’s also from Mongomo, 11 points 14 rebounds and Lucas with a near  triple-double of 14 points, 12 rebounds and 7 assists. Plus, the crucial minutes played by Sarah Birkett, Alex Campbell and Captain Zoe Willis should also not be overlooked.

There will be tougher tests ahead for this Newcastle side but clearly right now under strength or not this is an Eagles side really flying at this present moment and dealing superbly well with everything in front of them.

When they get all of their pieces fit healthy and ready to play they could well be a real force in this season’s SLB Championship. Their Head Coach in particular is looking forward to how that pans out.

“I look forward to building with them across the course of the season!” Gaynor concluded.