Leicester Riders can thank their American guard Ralph Blalock for a valuable 117-101 success over deflated Trophy runners-up Newcastle Eagles. 

Blalock bagged 35 points against his old club, and while Tony Windless matched that tally for Newcastle, it was not enough to prevent a Riders' success. 

The hosts edged the first half and led 51-43 at half-time, but Eagles kept battling away and got as close as four points at 69-65 following threes from TJ Walker and Brian Ehlers. 

Riders went into the fourth quarter 81-75 to the good and then put the game beyond the Geordies with ten answered points midway through the period to lead 110-93.

Billy Mims' side are now six points ahead of fifth-placed Manchester Giants and although they have played a game more, they need one more win to be sure of a play-off place.
 

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