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
