Narrow two point loss ends Sharks Trophy hopes

Friday 25th October 2024

Super League Basketball Trophy Group Stage

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 82 Newcastle Eagles 84

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks hopes of making the semi-finals of the Super League Basketball Trophy were dashed with an extremely narrow two point defeat at the hands of Newcastle Eagles. A nip and tuck encounter was tied going into the final quarter, whereupon the Sharks battled to a nine point lead. Ten points from Newcastle’s De’Sean Allen-Eikens hauled the Geordies into an 82-84 lead but the Sharks were unable to utilise the final 19 seconds effectively and slipped to defeat. A dead rubber in Manchester on Sunday wraps up the Trophy campaign before the Championship gets underway on November 1st with a visit to London Lions.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Jeffries, Nixon, Anderson, Ochereobia, Groves.

Eagles: Ward-Hibbert, Knight, Delpeche, Spencer, Allen-Eikens.

Key Moments

The Sharks came out with purpose for the opening stages of the first quarter. Jacob Groves’ putback opened up a 10-3 lead and things still looked relatively healthy at 14-8 on Rodney Chatman’s long two. The first of five successful three point shots from Newcastle’s Mike Okauru drew them within two and back-to-back triples from Cole Long confirmed the lead at 24-25. The Sharks shaded the period on Rodney Chatman’s late basket however.

The Eagles impressed in the early stages of the second quarter. Seneca Knight hit five early points and when Okauru went coast to coast, the gap widened to 29-38. Undeterred, the Sharks slowly chipped away to take a slender half time lead. Seven points from Chatman drew things level at 44-44 with Prentiss Nixon making the three that restored the advantage. A pair of De’Sean Allen-Eikens free throws set up an intriguing second half with the score at 49-46.

The runs continued in the third period. Rodney Chatman’s and-one play instigated another eight point gap at 57-49 but matters levelled once again at 59-59 on Okauru’s trey from the wing. Chatman, who had poured in a very effective 21 points to this point, suffered an ankle injury late in the quarter as Malcolm Delpeche restored parity with a hook shot at 63-63.

EC Matthews brought the energy at the top of the final stanza as the Sharks opened up a nine point gap. A stepback three was followed by another from the corner and when Matthews assisted to Nixon, things looked rosy at 78-69. Five baskets from De-Sean Allen-Eikens turned the tables to give Newcastle a one point lead, 82-83 going into the final 30 seconds. Jordan Spencer’s free throw extended that by one, leaving the Sharks 19 seconds to conjure up either a result or five minutes of overtime. Sadly, they failed to achieve either as Newcastle progressed to the semis by the narrowest of margins.

MVP

Jacob Groves made double figure scoring despite being pressed into forward duties once more for the Sharks. There was a much-improved performance from EC Matthews, who shot at 71% for his 12 points that came with 6 rebounds, an assist and 3 steals. Prentiss Nixon continued his consistent numbers with 15 points, 4 rebounds and 4 assists but the MVP plaudits went the way of Rodney Chatman once more. He was perfect from the line once again, going 7 of 7, on his way to 21 points, 2 boards, 4 assists and 2 steals and had he not received that late knock, may potentially have kept the Sharks hopes alive.

Next game

Manchester Basketball v B. Braun Sheffield Sharks, Sunday 27th October 2024, National Basketball Performance Centre, Super League Basketball Trophy Group Stage, 3.00pm Tip Off

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Adam Bates