It was dubbed as “The Big One” and after 40 pulsating minutes of top-flight Women’s professional basketball it lived up to its billing. The Eagles producing a Big Win in front of a Big crowd after a Big finish to the game gave them a crucial and Big win in the Championship standings.

Roared on by a fantastic vociferous passionate home support the Eagles came up Big down the stretch to send the superb crowd of 837 home happy after a really Big occasion in the Vertu Arena. Having had such a superb taste of the SLBW it’s hoped many will return for games in the future.

If they do, they’ll see a side worthy of their support as no matter what adversity this team seems to face, they always seem to find a way to be competitive and usually victorious. This game once again highlighted that ability as well as the togetherness the group encapsulates.

Credit to Manchester as well. At half-time they looked dead and buried. But an astonishing third quarter comeback gave them an opportunity to spoil Newcastle’s Big party. Even into the final period led by the excellent Frannie Hottinger, 21 points and 10 rebounds, they still led.

But then the Eagles led by double-double machine Andrea Daley the league’s leading scorer and rebounder, the energetic and dynamic Shanique Lucas and the calm solid superb support of Sarah Wells found a way. A way to haul themselves back and then close out the game in fine style.

It was breathless, it was inspirational and it was celebratory and it capped a great Big night for the Eagles franchise, Head Coach Chloe Gaynor and her players and everyone else associated with this forward-thinking Club.

Manchester actually made the better start to the game and led 6-2 early on. Lucas though with six points, Wells with two from two from the line and an Alyssa Marin triple sparked an 11-2 run that took Newcastle into the lead.

Daley added two more. Wells another two free-throws and Eagles had their first double-digit lead of the game at 19-9. Manchester though rallying slightly to net the last four points of an opening quarter that Newcastle took 19-13.

Eagles with Daley prominent ad ever scored the first five points of the second period to again lead by double figures. Manchester and Hottinger in particular though hung around and kept just about within touch. Then a late Newcastle 7-2 run to close the quarter looked like being decisive.

Gaynor’s side taking a healthy 41-26 halftime lead into the locker room. One huge concern though for Gaynor and her close-knit group of players was Marin. The popular USA rookie guard had gone crashing down during the second quarter and had to be carried from the court.

Marin was actually taken from the playing area as well as she looked in considerable pain and discomfort. Gaynor and Marin’s teammates now await an update on the dynamic guard’s fitness and hope that all will be well.

Whether that incident affected the Eagles or whether it should be credit to Manchester for their response to Newcastle’s first half efforts the third quarter was an astonishing turnaround. With the score at 45-30 to the Eagles, Manchester went to work.

Maaja Bratka and Tiarra East finally adding support offensively to Hottinger and the whole team lifting their defensive intensity sharply. It knocked the Eagles completely off their perch. Manchester going on a 17-1 tear that actually took them into a one-point lead.

Daley stopped the bleed, but Manchester’s momentum looked ominous and dangerous as they scored the last four points of the period to take a 51-48 lead into the final ten minutes of play. It did not stop there.

Daley again with an and-1 play levelled the game but then Manchester scored eight unanswered points to establish their biggest advantage of the night at 59-51 and there was still 6:42 to go in the game. This was when Eagles attributes really came to the fore.

Wells who went on to be named MVP of the game-controlled things for Newcastle and Daley set them off on the comeback trail and they chipped away at the visitors lead. However, they were still behind by two as the game entered the final minute.

Eagles continued shutting down the Manchester offence and then Jada Dapaa hit a huge triple to send Newcastle back in front. Another defensive stop and a final Lucas driving two-point lay-up sealed a 13-2 Big finish to the game and the W was confirmed.

The atmosphere and noise in the Arena matched the Eagles superb closing out of the game. It made it a truly memorable occasion for all to remember and as they say, ‘one for the ages.’ Or perhaps even ‘a BIG one for the ages!’

The victory lifted this gutsy never-say-die Eagles side to a 9-win 5 loss record and fifth place in the standings. An excellent effort after all the adversity, they’ve faced this season and within touching distance of a coveted fourth place finish and the right to host a playoff quarter final game.

Perhaps if they did that the Club would respond in kind. This game was the first time Eagles Women had played on the full show court, and they certainly put on a show. The fans loved it and responded with superb backing. It would be nice to do it all again in the future.