Friday 15th March 2024
British Basketball League Regular Season
Newcastle Eagles 77 B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 87
The B. Braun Sheffield Sharks are one result away from playoff qualification after a very thorough takedown of Newcastle Eagles. A 10-21 second quarter was key to another big win in the North East, which has been a happy hunting ground for the Sharks in recent seasons. Another double-double from Malek Green led the way for the Sharks but there were also big performances from RJ Eytle-Rock, Devearl Ramsey and the MVP Bennett Koch, who produced yet another captain’s innings in the 77-87 victory.
Starting Fives
Eagles: Johnson, McGill, Austin Jr, Defoe, Green
Sharks: Ramsey, Eytle-Rock, Green, Ratinho, Koch.
Key Moments
The opening quarter was a close-fought affair. Tahj Green opened the scoring for the hosts and the Eagles still held an 11-8 lead midway through the period. A Bennett Koch layup levelled matters at 13-13 and the Sharks edged in front on a Prentiss Nixon three pointer at 20-22 inside the final 30 seconds. A pair of Devin Whitfield free throws ended an even first ten minutes at 22-22.
The Sharks broke the deadlock in a super 10-21 second period. Excellent trademark defence plus some clinical inside finishing saw the visitors open up a 23-30 lead on a 1-8 run ended by a Kipper Nichols jumper. Despite six unanswered points from Newcastle’s standout point guard Jordan Johnson, the difference remained at 7 with the scoreboard reading 32-39. An RJ Eytle-Rock triple with 16 seconds to play gave the Sharks a very healthy 32-43 lead going into the locker rooms.
The Sharks consolidated that advantage in a 19-23 third stanza. Another 3-8 run made it 35-51 on a Bennett Koch basket and as the quarter wore on, Jalon Pipkins jump shot confirmed the dominance at 46-64. Newcastle’s Rickey McGill, held to just 6 points on the night, made a pair of free throws to send the game into the fourth quarter at 51-66.
Undeterred, Ramsey’s trey continued a useful shooting night for the Sharks. Malek Green’s layup took him to a double-double at the media timeout with the score at 63-77 and despite a late run by the Eagles, Atiba Lyons’ men were good value for the result. Whitfield’s three pointer made little difference as Devearl Ramsey saw out a very impressive 77-87 victory from the charity stripe.
MVP
The Sharks out-shot the Eagles by 50% to 36%, won the battle of the boards by 44-38 and took the paint by 46-38. Devearl Ramsey dished out 7 assists in a super performance where he added 16 points, 3 rebounds and 2 steals. Malek Green came up with his fourth double-double of the season, making 17 points and pulling down 10 boards. Leading from the front however was co-captain Bennett Koch. Carrying on from recent games, he did a bit of everything. 15 points, 8 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots came on 5 of 9 shooting for an index of 21 and a step nearer that looming playoff berth.
Next game
B. Braun Sheffield Sharks v Newcastle Eagles, Sunday March 24th 2024, Canon Medical Arena, 3.00pm Tip Off.
Image
Adam Bates
