Evans spoils Eagles fightback as Phoenix survive

BBL Championship

Newcastle Eagles 67-75 Cheshire Phoenix (11-31, 28-41, 47-59)
(Eagles: Ok. Johnson, 17; Cohn, 11; D. Johnson, 10 – Phoenix: Evans, 19; Anderson, 16; Teague, 14)

Cheshire Phoenix survived a late scare to safe a hard-fought 75-67 win over the Newcastle Eagles on the Vertu Motors Area on Friday night time.

Having fun with a lead that peaked at 20 factors, the Phoenix regarded snug however turnovers from them allowed the hosts again into the ball sport within the fourth.

And a three-pointer from Eagles sharp-shooter David Cohn made it a one possession sport with 3:49 remaining, as the house aspect regarded to finish a memorable comeback.

However, Phoenix, with out star guard Larry Austin Jr., regarded to Marcus Evans to step up – and the guard did simply that – scoring the ultimate 9 factors for the guests to take them over the road.

Evans led all scorers with 19 factors for the Phoenix, supported by 16 for Jamell Anderson, who went an ideal 6/6 from the sphere.

Phoenix coach Ben Thomas stated: “Within the first quarter we actually see numerous the stuff that we’ve been engaged on this week. However clearly they made changes they usually made it harder for us.

“We relied on our defence at occasions and it took us over the road so we’re actually completely happy.”

Kyle Johnson paced the Eagles with 17 factors, with free scoring Javion Hamlet restricted to only eight factors.

“Hamlet is a very good scorer, and we simply needed to make it possible for we restricted his touches every time we might,” Thomas added.

Inserted into the beginning line-up within the absence of Austin Jr., Will Neighbour hit the primary rating of the sport with a three-pointer.

That was the primary of six triples that the Phoenix hit within the first quarter, as Newcastle have been responsible of enjoying isolation basketball within the opening levels.

Trailing 20-5 with 2:46 left within the first, Justin Everett gave one thing for the Eagles flock to cheer about with a three-point play, however their hopes of an early comeback have been shortly dashed.

Cheshire’s offence was on hearth as they shot 66% within the first ten minutes, and a Jack Hudson buzzer-beater gave them a mammoth 31-11 lead heading into the second.

Nonetheless, Cheshire all of the sudden went chilly within the first seven minutes of the second as they solely managed 5 factors, leaving the Eagles free to chip away on the deficit.

Again-to-back transition factors from Javion Hamlet gave the hosts hope as their defence, led by debutant Hasahn French, brought on the Phoenix issues.

And because the half neared, affected person build-up play from Cohn led to an open dunk from Darius Defoe to slender the hole, however Cheshire nonetheless loved a 41-28 benefit.

Like they did within the first quarter, the Phoenix have been capable of get pleasure from a 19-point cushion just a few occasions, highlighted by a dunk from Anderson with 4:19 remaining.

Eagles although, refused to stop. A trademark of the franchise over time and as soon as once more, they managed to trim the deficit to 12 factors because of a 3 from Ben Mockford.

It was all to play for within the ultimate interval. Cheshire maintained their double-digit benefit, however you sensed one other Newcastle comeback.

And for almost all of the fourth, the Eagles knocked on the door and when Cohn drilled a 3 to make it 66-63 with a little bit over three minutes left, a grandstand end on the playing cards.

However Evans had different concepts. Taking the sport on himself to attain the ultimate 9 factors for the Phoenix, securing their seventh win of the BBL season.

The Phoenix are subsequent in motion on Sunday after they welcome the Surrey Scorchers, whereas Newcastle look to bounce again on 11 December on the street to the Caledonia Gladiators. Get your tickets to these video games and all of the BBL video games HERE.