Sharks top table with overtime thriller

Friday 18th October 2019

BBL Cup North Group

Newcastle Eagles 80 (Fletcher 17, Mitchell 17, Glasgow 17) B. Braun Sheffield Sharks 83 (Koch 18, Marsden 15, Lewis 14) OT

The B. Braun Sharks hit the dizzy heights of the top of the BBL Cup North Group table with an outstanding comeback win over Newcastle Eagles. The Sharks were down by as many as seventeen points at one stage but fought back to force overtime and eventually claim a memorable win.

Starting fives

Eagles: Fletcher, Schlitzer, Mitchell, Glasgow, Aded-Hussein.

Sharks: Lewis, Cashaw, Marsden, McKnight, Koch.

Key Moments

The first half saw the Sharks relatively passive on defence as the Eagles took a comfortable lead. Rodney Glasgow Jr’s three plus one play concluded the first quarter at 27-21 and Newcastle extended that lead to 52-37 by half time on a 12-0 run, again capped by Glasgow.

The missing defensive intensity was wholly restored in the second half. The Sharks went on a 2-16 run at the top of the third but an 11-0 run for the home side saw them still in charge at 65-53 going into the final stanza.

Rahmon Fletcher’s corner trey appeared to put Newcastle in the box seat with 4.04 to play. Three’s from Tuck and Lewis pulled the Sharks to within four at 76-72 and a Lewis bucket sealed a 0-12 run and tied matters at 76. Lasker blocked Lewis’ final shot and the game went to overtime.

Marsden edged the Sharks in front at 76-78 and Fletcher broke 7.21 of play without an Eagles score. A textbook Tuck triple from the top of the key saw the Sharks up by 78-81 and Mackey McKnight’s pair from the line sealed a famous win at 80-83.

MVP

Team ball! A really tough choice on a night where the contributions came from all over the floor once again. Bennett Koch was Mr Consistency once more with 18 points and 8 rebounds, allied with his fellow forward Rob Marsden, who posted 15 points and 7 rebounds. Mike Tuck went 3 of 5 from distance for 11 points and Mackey McKnight finished just short of a double-double with 10 points and 9 assists. Nick Lewis achieved the feat with 14 points and 10 rebounds but it was the ever-improving Connor Cashaw who took the plaudits. His 13 points, 11 rebounds and 4 assists showed how much Cashaw is growing into his role with the Sharks and put down an early marker for his performances to come.

Next home game

B. Braun Sharks v Newcastle Eagles, Friday 25th October 2019, Ponds Forge International Sports Centre, 7.30pm Tip Off

Ticket Link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/b-braun-sheffield-sharks-v-newcastle-eagles-cup-group-stage-tickets-70783121221

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Andy Chubb