Sharks seal head to head with eyecatching Newcastle win

Sunday 24th March 2024

British Basketball League Regular Season

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 91 Newcastle Eagles 83

The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks secured what might prove to be a very important head-to-head with an eyecatching victory over the Newcastle Eagles. Aside from a slow opening five minutes, the Sharks were in irresistible mood, pouring in at least twenty points in each quarter on their way to a thrilling 91-83 success. There were key performances from Devearl Ramsey, Jalon Pipkins, Marcus Delpeche and RJ Eytle-Rock but a fifth double-double of the campaign from Malek Green saw him take the MVP award once again. The Sharks close the gap on the top four as a result ahead of a key match-up with Leicester Riders on Good Friday.

Starting Fives

Sharks: Ramsey, Eytle-Rock, Green, Ratinho, Koch.

Eagles: McGill, Austin Jr, Johnson, Defoe, Green.

Key Moments

The game didn’t exactly begin in desired fashion for the Sharks. The Eagles’ Darius Defoe scored from the mid-range to make it 6-18 as the media timeout was required to be used wisely. The tempo increased noticeably out of the break. A 16-4 spurt was much more Sharks-like as honours ended up even by the quarter end. A Marcus Delpeche dunk from a Devearl Ramsey assist was a highlight as the sides were tied at 22-22.

Newcastle edged the early stages of the second period. A Rickey McGill three and a successful Jordan Johnson and-one play inched them in front by 27-33. Once again the media timeout proved to be the Sharks friend. A 15-3 run was the result this time – Malek Green forcing the ball home after multiple attempts at 31-33 and RJ Eytle-Rock sending the Eagles into a timeout with a trey at 42-36. An unsportsmanlike foul call on Will Neighbour saw Ramsey close the half from the line with the score at 44-38.

The Sharks cranked it up even further in the third quarter, this time adding a further 27 points. Ramsey’s step back three opened proceedings and that was matched by Eytle-Rock at 54-45. Jalon Pipkins came to the party next. His triple on the fast break took the score out to 63-47 and with Malek Green finding success down the lane, his side’s dominance was underlined at 71-57 with ten minutes to play.

Newcastle weren’t quite finished yet. A three from Scott Spencer was followed by Larry Austin Jr successfully making his extra point play. Back to back triples from Josh Ward-Hibbert sent nerves jangling a touch as the Eagles drew to within three at 75-72 but the Sharks demonstrated their resilience. Two trips into the paint by Eytle-Rock teased the Sharks more comfortably back ahead at 83-74 and with both teams in the bonus, a series of trips to the line saw the Sharks take a well-deserved 91-83 win.

MVP

Another team effort sealed the head-to-head over Newcastle for the season. The Sharks were plus fourteen while Marcus Delpeche was on court and the energy he brought from his 6 point, 9 rebound outing was palpable. Jalon Pipkins also formed part of the second wave that drove the Sharks on, finishing with a lively 15 points, 5 rebounds, an assist and a steal. RJ Eytle-Rock led all scorers with 19 points, making both of his three point attempts and going five of six from the line to seal an impressive win. A fifth double-double of his short Sharks career sent the MVP award to Malek Green once again. His 18 points came on 69% shooting and with 4 offensive and 7 defensive boards, he provided the impetus to send his side to a 15-15 record and fifth place in the standings.

Next game

B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Leicester Riders, Friday March 29th 2024, Canon Medical Arena, 7.45pm Tip Off.

Image

Adam Bates