Newcastle Eagles 88 (18,40,60) (Bridge 19, Chapman 15, Defoe/Jackson 12)
Everton Tigers 82 (19,43,57) (Jones 20, Bell 16, Babalola 14)
The Everton Tigers threw away a half-time lead to go down 88-82 against Newcastle Eagles at the MetroRadio Arena.
The Eagles had the better of the early exchanges and after a tight opening they managed to edge into a 16- 11 lead. However, the Tigers came back with the next six points to take the lead, which they held at 18-19 after the opening ten minutes.
The Tigers continued their run with the first five points of the second quarter, meaning that they went 13-2 around the quarter break. Everton's lead reached double-figures when Bell's three-pointer made it 22- 32 midway through the period.
But the Eagles came back with an 8-3 push to make it 30-35. Just as the Eagles looked as they were getting close, Chris Haslam and James Jones hit back-to-back three- pointers and the Tigers led 35-43.
The Eagles scored the last five points of the half, including a buzzer-beating triple from Andrew Bridge, to go into the midway break just 40-43 behind.
Early in the third period he Eagles found themselves trailing 40- 48, until they mounted their charge. The hosts narrowed the gap through the next six minutes, and regained the lead with consecutive three-pointers from Bridge at 58-57.
The Eagles took a 60-57 lead into the decisive quarter.
They completed the turnaround early in the fourth as they edged their way out to a 73-64 lead, but the Tigers had one last go within the final minute. It was back to a one possession game as back-to-back baskets made it 81-78 but Stewart, Flournoy and Chapman kept their cool at the free-throw line late on to see the Eagles to the win.
Ironically, the top-scorer laurel went to the Tigers' James Jones with 20 points.
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