Eagles Entertain Capital
Thursday, 4th February, 2010
Teams from opposite ends of the BBL Championship table meet on Friday evening, as the Newcastle Eagles welcome PAWS London Capital to the Metro Radio Arena. The two clubs met at Londons venue on 24th January, with the Eagles eventually cruising to a 24 point win 88-64, which moved them level on points with Sheffield Sharks at the top of the table. After a close opening quarter which saw the Eagles leading 21-24 heading into the second period, the visitors broke the game open with a 14-4 start to the second quarter to take the score out to 25-38. Both sides traded baskets for the remainder of the half and the Eagles headed into the locker rooms leading 32-46 at the half.
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In the second half the Eagles continued to open up a commanding lead throughout the third period and took a 47-69 lead into the final stanza. In the final period the Capital worked hard to get themselves back into the game but the Eagles proved too strong for their hosts as they ran out comfortable winners. Charles Smith led all scorers in the game with 27 points for the Eagles, while Ibrahim Gariba led the Capital scoring with 23 points personal.
Capital player-coach, Milek Jivens, is determined that both the Eagles, and the Heat, whom his side face on Sunday, will not find it as easy as last time against his side when they meet for the second time this season. He explained: This weekend will be another tough weekend for us. The Eagles and Heat have been able to brush us aside the last two times we meet and we look to make it a lot more competitive this time around. Even though our record is very poor, the guys are still up beat about us putting together some wins. Practice has been very competitive and I hope we can bring this energy into this weekends games.
His Eagles counterpart, Fabulous Flournoy, said: I feel we will match up well against the London. We just played them very well in our last meeting, and I just hope we do the same. He also emphasised the importance that new signing, GB guard Flinder Boyd, will have in his sides success, for the rest of the season, adding: All our players are fit and well, but we are just happy that we have Flinder (Boyd), who will add to our team in so many ways.
