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Newcastle Eagles kept their perfect home record intact and booked a place in the last eight of the uni-ball Trophy thanks to a 86-79 win over Milton Keynes Lions on Sunday in an exciting game at the Telewest Arena.
Sixteen unanswered points in the first quarter put the home side in command, but the Lions soon fought back and narrowed the gap. Another 10 without reply from the Eagles in the third quarter gave them a 58-44 lead and though they tried again to fight back, the Lions couldn't quite erase the home lead.
A tight finish was in prospect when Victor Payne brought his team to within five in the final 30 seconds but a steal from TJ Walker was converted into a dunk to seal the win.
Donnie Johnson hit a game-best 25 points for the Eagles, Brian Ehlers adding 18 but their coach Tony Garboletto was delighted despite the late scare.
"They're one of the few teams in this league who can't be beaten by more than ten points," he admitted. "Guys like Nigel (Lloyd), (Merrill) Brunson, and (Jason) Siemon don't lie down. We could have won by 30 at one stage but they came back, came back and came back."
Likewise Lions player-coach Lloyd - whose side had already booked a quarter-final spot - took positives from the road trip.
"It was disappointing for us but in retrospect a split was good for us this weekend because it ensures our place in the next round," said Lloyd who led his side with 19.
"That was the priority. We spotted them a big lead. No-one's beaten them at home and we came out flat. We battled them and played well in the last five minutes to come back."
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