Eagles warm up for Trophy semi final with ninth straight win

NEWCASTLE Eagles returned to level pegging with BBL Championship leaders Sheffield Sharks after a ninth consecutive victory.

The Eagles have only lost once in 2010 and after coming from behind on Saturday night, they continued that record with a 117-104 victory at Essex Pirates.

The Pirates, lying second-bottom with just eight points from 26 games, took an early lead to go 34-24 at the end of the first quarter.

But the Eagles gradually grasped control of the match to run out winners with Reggie Jackson topping all scorers with 22.

The Eagles return to Newcastle on Sunday night for the first leg of their BBL Trophy semi final against Everton Tigers.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Jelson Homes DMU Leicester Riders progressed above Marshall MK Lions to fourth with an 82-76 defeat of Cheshire Jets.

 The Jets led at the end of the first two quarters with a 47-43 advantage at half-time but the Riders turned the match round as Jason Johnson impressed with 19 points and ten rebounds.

Worthing Thunder stole the points at home to Worcester Wolves, having trailed all game before recovering at the death for an 86-84 victory.

Reggie Bratton starred for the Thunder with 27 points while French forward Harry Disy bagged 21 for the Wolves.

Finally, Airwaves Plymouth Raiders denied PAWS London Capital their fourth win of the season, grinding out a 95-91 win.

Capital's Ibrahim Gariba led all scorers with 31 and player-coach Milek Jivens also bagged 27 for the home side, while Florentino Valencia led the Raiders' charge with 28.