The Sheffield Sharks cruised to an easy 87-77 win over the Newcastle Eagles on Friday night.
The team effort gave the Sharks their 14th win of the season in their final game before the league’s All Star game.
Malek Green led the Sharks in scoring with 17 points on 46% shooting. He also recorded a double-double, adding 10 rebounds and an assist. Green routinely forced his way into the paint, hitting easy lay up opportunities. Three of the other starters for the Sharks scored double-digit points while Devearl Ramsey totalled seven assists, routinely setting up his teammates with scoring opportunities.
Prentiss Nixon led the scoring off the Sharks’ bench, scoring nine points in just over 12 minutes. Early in the second quarter, Green hit a tough fadeaway from the right baseline to break the 22-22 tie with the Eagles, giving them a lead that they would not lose again.
In the waning seconds of the first half, a turnover by the Eagles led to a fast break opportunity for the Sharks. Following a steal, Ramsey drove the ball the length of the court, cutting into the paint before dishing a pass to a wide open Rj Eytle-Rock who nailed a corner three.
Despite only hitting three out of 13 three-point attempts, the Sharks built a comfortable lead early and led by as many as 19.
The Sharks frequently drew fouls, getting to the free throw line and capitalising on their shots, hitting 20 of 25, six more than the Eagles.
The Eagles’ Jordan Johnson led his team with 23 points and five assists, but was largely unsupported by the rest of his team, as the next highest scorer was Tajh Green with 16 points.
With just seven games remaining in the season, the Sharks look poised to remain in the playoff hunt as they currently hold a 14 point lead over the ninth place Manchester Giants.
While the London Lions have already run away with the league championship, the Sharks still have the opportunity to climb up the standings ahead of the playoff and one more win will secure them a guaranteed playoff spot.
