Coming into the match off the back of eight consecutive wins in all competitions, Marc Steutel’s Eagles side were confident of another positive result, particularly given last week's 100-87 away victory over the Scorchers. History, however, failed to repeat itself, as the Scorchers turned the tables on their Northern rivals.
The first half could not separate the two sides despite Surrey's fast start
Despite its best efforts, the first half could not separate the two sides, ending in a 41-41 stalemate. Starting fast, the Scorchers opened the scoring through a pair of Saiquon Jamieson free throws following their first possession. The Eagles responded quickly, inspired by experienced forward Darius Defoe, who grabbed the game by the scruff of the neck, charting 11 points and three rebounds before halftime.
Surrey’s first half competitiveness came down primarily to their efficiency in attack and discipline in defence, which kept the Eagles pinned in their own half and stifled in possession.
Through the third quarter, both teams seemed content to trade three-pointers, showing great effect in long range shooting but failing to gain any great advantage on the scoreboard. Defoe continued to dominate in the paint, putting up a further six points in the third quarter before making way for Malcolm Delpeche, whose closing performance very nearly inspired a late Newcastle comeback.
As frustration and fatigue wormed their way into the match, so too did an influx of fouls, with free throws making up a significant proportion of the points scored as the Scorchers edged out a four point lead heading into the final period.
A cagey fourth quarter ensued as Newcastle battled back into the game, leaving Surrey on the back foot and forcing them into a string of mistakes. Big moments from Whitfield and Johnson tied the game with less than two minutes remaining on the play clock, but the Scorchers refused to go down without a fight, hitting big shots in the crucial moments to reestablish the slim lead they had maintained for most of the match.
The Scorchers managed to edge it out at the death, though, with a flurry of points in the final minutes of play taking the final score to 88-93 in favour of the visitors, ending Newcastle’s impressive eight match winning streak in crushing fashion.
I think we didn’t have enough energy or physicality. They made shots, we didn’t
Speaking after the match, Newcastle’s Devin Whitfield said that “I think we didn’t have enough energy or physicality. They made shots, we didn’t.”
This loss had a particular sting in light of the Eagles’ impressive recent form.
“Yeah, that hurt. That one hurt,” Whitfield continued. “We just beat these guys five days ago, but it’ll wake us up. Now its time to regroup and refocus.” Whitfield recorded 10 points and four rebounds in just over 27 minutes of play.
The Eagles now have a week to collect themselves and regroup before hosting the Bristol Flyers on December 8, where the side will look to get back to winning ways.
