Newcastle Eagles put life into the BBL title race with a deserved 86-78 win away to league leaders Worcester Wolves. Durham Wildcats enjoyed a good weekend and the winless Birmingham Knights lose again but were unfortunate to miss out on their first win over the London Lions.
Newcastle’s win puts them just four points behind Worcester and with a game in hand following this win. Charles Smith led the Eagles with 19 points with Will Creekmore leading Worcester with a game-high 23 points and an outstanding 19 rebounds.
The Leicester Riders are third as the reigning BBL league champions breezed past London Lions 99-71 in the capital then they went back home and defeated an in-form Surrey United 74-55.
Rassad Hassan led the Riders with 27 points as his side snapped a three-game losing streak over a London Lions team that are rapidly falling behind the leaders.
Leicester struggled in their second game of the weekend as Surrey had the better of the first exchanges in a dire first quarter that saw them lead 10-9. Leicester though regrouped and a 25-10 third quarter saw them extend their advantage to 60-39 as they cruised home.
Rassad Hassan led the Riders again, as he equalled his tally with 27 points.
The Manchester Giants enjoyed a winning weekend, which they sorely needed in order to stay in touch in the playoff picture. They defeated the Durham Wildcats on the road 111-105.
David Aliu led the Giants with 38 points, supported by Stefan Gill’s 27 in what was a high scoring affair. Manchester then went home and defeated the Birmingham Knights 105-91.
Aliu again scored freely, leading the winners with 29 points, while Birmingham’s Brent Benson led all with 32.
Manchester’s two opponents had contrasting results. Durham shook off the loss on Friday; travelled to Scotland and defeated the Glasgow Rocks 79-67.
With both Wildcats and Rocks chasing the eighth and final playoff spot, this was a vital win for the side from the north-east. Odiba Attah led the victors with 18 points as they pulled away in the final quarter.
Birmingham are still without a win in 26 attempts, but pushed the London Lions close, before running out of steam and losing 93-89.
The Lions always maintained a lead but could not pull away from a determined Knights team desperate to record a win. Jason Davis had 21 for the Lions.
The other BBL game saw the Cheshire Phoenix record a 92-84 win in Devon against the Plymouth Raiders.
Victor Moses led the Phoenix with 22 points.
