NEWCASTLE EAGLES extended their BBL Championship winning streak to 11 games with a comfortable 99-83 success in the North East derby against Durham Wildcats at Sport Central on Friday.
On a night when the league leaders paid tribute to their all-time leading scorer, Charles Smith, it was perhaps fitting that they produced such an efficient offensive display, as six Eagles scored in double figures.
Nine points each from Fran Urli and Panos Mayindombe had earlier allowed Wildcats to stick with their hosts before Eagles turned the screw after half-time.
The reigning BBL champions’ ability to get scoring contributions from all over the floor proved too much for Durham, and the hosts pulled away, thanks in no small part to 13 three-pointers on 50 per cent shooting from long range.
Scott Martin scored five of those triples on his way to a game-high 23 points as Andrew Thomson added 21 to help Eagles march on at 11-1 at the top of the table.
Wildcats were paced by 20 points from Christopher Jones, but could not prevent a second straight loss, which sees them slip to 5-8 in the league.
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