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  • Writer's pictureAdam Perry

Eagles win BBL Playoffs

The Newcastle Eagles won the BBL Playoffs, coming back to beat the London Lions 68-66 in a tense final.


The Eagles trailed by 5 points heading into the final 10 minutes, coming out on top in a frantic fourth quarter.


Cortez Edwards, Finals MVP, reflected on the win, saying: “I feel amazing. We had great resilience, we kept fighting and fighting. London are a great team, so we knew we had to get out there and pull through.”


Orlando Parker got the scoring underway from the free throw line, on his way to a 15-point quarter to help put the Lions up 24-12. Dirk Williams opened guarding Eagles star Rahmon Fletcher, helping restrict the two-time MVP to 0 points in the first quarter on 0 for 2 from the field.



Key to the Lions early advantage was their rebounding, grabbing 19 boards to the Eagles’ 7 in the first quarter.


The Eagles were the brighter team at the start of the second quarter with Rahmon Fletcher getting his first field goal and the Lions failing to score in the first 3:45. Going into the half, the score sat at 35-30, off the back of a strong second quarter from the Lions.


An end-to-end game ensued in the third quarter as both teams traded baskets, scoring 20 points apiece, seeing the Lions take a 55-50 lead into the final 10 minutes.


The Eagles came out soaring in the fourth, going on a 7-0 run to take the lead through an Evan Maxwell alley-oop with 7:04 to play. The two teams traded the lead before Lions wing Dirk Williams fouled out with 4:22 left.


Heading into the final minute of the game, the score was tied at 66-66 with all to play for.


Cortez Edwards put the Eagles ahead from the free throw line with 40.6 seconds to play. Evan Maxwell went to the line 10 seconds later, missing both to keep it at a one possession game.


The Lions went up the other end, in need of a basket, and worked the ball to Jules Dang Akodo whose layup was deflected, before Orlando Parker’s follow up tip spun off the rim.


Justin Gordon rebounded the ball, passing to Rahmon Fletcher who was fouled and sent to the free throw line, where he missed both free throws.


DeAndre Liggins rebounded the ball with 3 seconds left, throwing a full court heave which fell just short.



Cortez Edwards won MVP of the game with 22 points, 13 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals. Orlando Parker led the way for the Lions with 27 points and 12 rebounds.


The Newcastle Eagles’ 7th BBL Playoff win brings an end to an incredible season for the British Basketball League.


(Cover Image: BBL)

Adam Perry - 16/05/2021

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