Flournoy’s on-court presence makes the difference

Nov 28 2009 The Journal

Newcastle Eagles 88, Everton Tigers 82

A FABULOUS win for the Newcastle Eagles last night saw them keep their title challenge on track while at the same time putting a huge dent in the hopes of the Men from The Mersey, writes JEFF KING.

Head coach Fab Flournoy returned from injury to resume his playing role and his on-court intensity helped his side enormously particularly in a fine second half display. It was old-style hard nosed defence from the Eagles that turned around a half-time deficit in to a solid and deserved win enabling guards Reggie Jackson, Joe Chapman and skipper Andrew Bridge to execute offensively and make the difference in the end.

Despite Flournoy being back on the playing roster, local lad Aaron Neilsen still got the nod to start and his early triple had the Eagles up 5-0 before Everton replied. Eagles held sway early on and a Charles Smith bucket gave them a 16-11 lead before Tigers hit back with an 8-2 run to take the first quarter by a point.

Into the second and Tigers continued that run with Steven Rush hitting three early triples to give them a double-digit advantage at 32-22. Smith replied with a triple of his own that sparked a 12-3 home burst and the gap was back to a single point. Everton replied with eight unanswered before Bridge with brought his side back in to the game closing the gap to 43-40 at the break to the visitors.

Everton scored the first five of the second half but Newcastle’s energy seemed on the up and they were certainly starting to turn the screw defensively as they slowly but surely began a steady comeback. The crucial run came as the third quarter wound down. Three-pointers from Bridge and Jackson were added to by a brace of Chapman baskets and suddenly Eagles led 60-57.

The final quarter saw Newcastle hold that lead throughout. Two buckets midway through the final period from Jackson increased the lead to 73-64 but Tigers wouldn’t lie down. Ex-Eagle Olu Babalola hit two triples and James Jones tagged on a deuce and Flournoy saw his side’s lead cut to 80-78.

Time was running out and the visitors had to resort to fouling to stop the clock and Newcastle held their nerve from the free-throw line to take a vital championship win with skipper Bridge hitting the last two shots from the charity stripe to see his side home.

The win sets Newcastle up nicely for the tough road trip to high-flying Leicester Riders tonight.

NEWCASTLE : Andrew Bridge 19, Joe Chapman 15, Darius Defoe & Reggie Jackson 12

EVERTON: James Jones 20, Kevin Bell 16, Olu Babalola 14