MK Lions 78, Newcastle Eagles 91

Mar 23 2009 by Jeff King, The Journal

NEWCASTLE Eagles came out with a win after a bruising battle last night in Milton Keynes.

A solid team performance was the key to the game as the home side could not match Newcastle’s energy and intensity throughout.

Eagles were once again led by Trey Moore whose game high 23 points anchored his team’s win. Moore only missed one shot all night in a very impressive performance. There were also significant contributions from Charles Smith, Tafari Toney and Reggie Jackson who all scored in double figures.

Newcastle won every quarter too and once Toney had put them in front at 4-3 early in the game, they were never headed. Game control was paramount after that and although Lions twice levelled, Lynard Stewart’s first basket since his return from injury made it 21-18 after one.

The second started with Newcastle moving into a six-point lead before they produced a 12-4 burst to put them up 39-25. Lions rallied to close within six but two baskets by Smith made the half time score 46-37.

Toney got Newcastle under way in the second half but Lions were hanging around and cut the gap to five. Newcastle though responded once again. A run of 16-4 started with a Smith triple and ended on another by Moore to take Eagles to 67-51 and the league points were safe. Even three triples in a row from Lions could not alter the result. Moore’s further beyond the arc effort at the end of the third restored the double digit lead.

The Eagles held the Lions comfortably in the final quarter as they cemented their place at the top of the BBL table. And just for good measure it was player-coach Fab Flournoy who scored Newcastle’s last five points to lead his side home.

So, another double winning weekend for Flournoy and his team. There’s no doubting at the moment they are on quite a march. They are hoping to continue that march and hold their form firm as the crucial clashes with Everton Tigers are on the horizon.

NEWCASTLE EAGLES: Trey Moore 23, Charles Smith 18, Tafari Toney 17.

MILTON KEYNES LIONS: Robert Youngblood 20, Terrell Brown 17, Yorick Williams 15.