Newcastle deny improved Pumas
Newcastle Eagles completed a double over NBL Division One Sutton Pumas with a 91-70 win in the final pool game in group C of the uni-ball trophy.
And although the Pumas put up a much improved showing from the massive mauling in the return leg a week ago, Newcastle won the first three quarters, including a 20-4 run in the in the second period, with seven points from Adam Barnes and six from Ralph Blalock helping the home side to a 26-point advantage.
That lead was extended in the third period, before a comeback by the Pumas in the final quarter. With the Eagles bench on court, Newcastle were kept to just eight points and Sutton's 19 points trimmed the deficit.
Andy Powesland scored 17 points for the visitors, who end with a 0-6 record, while Shahid Perkins and Charles Smith led all-scoring with 19 points apiece for Newcastle who meet Sheffield in the quarter finals on December 27, fixtures which will now be staged at the NEC in Birmingham rather than the Coventry Skydome.
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