Game Report: Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles 95-82 Plymouth City Patriots

Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles bounced back from two straight losses to soar over the Plymouth City Patriots in the British Basketball League. 

Thanks to an 31-point explosion from the athletic Tajh Green, the Eagles ousted a stubborn Patriots side 95-82 at the Vertu Motors Arena on Friday night.

TJ Atwood paced Plymouth with 27.

Starting Five

Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles starting five: Rickey McGill, Larry Austin Jr., Jordan Johnson, Darius Defoe, Tajh Green

Plymouth City Patriots starting five: Spencer Levi, Elvisi Dusha, Joe Hart, TJ Atwood, Jules Dang Akodo

First Half

It was a blistering start from the Eagles, who raced out to an early 6-0 lead with two minutes played in the first, forcing Plymouth into three turnovers, leaving coach Paul James no choice but to call a timeout.

Slowly but surely, the Patriots found their rhythm and got points on the board, with a lay-up from Atwood narrowing matters to 12-7 midway through the first.

The hosts were undeterred and got their first double-digit lead through free throws from Jordan Johnson en route to a 24-17 lead after one.

Plymouth hung around in the second, denying Newcastle a chance to retain a double-digit cushion for a second time and narrowing the deficit to four points on multiple occasions, led by Atwood.

And with 2:10 left in the half, Atwood connected again to give the Patriots a 40-39 lead. But Newcastle finished strong with a 10-2 run to take a 49-42 advantage at the break.

Second Half

Newcastle managed to extend their lead to 52-44 with more than a minute played in the third thanks to a jumper from Johnson as they aimed to move clear.

And despite a brief spell from the visitors, Newcastle – thanks to a triple from Green – gave his side a 59-48 lead with 5:48 left in the quarter.

Plymouth were able to slim down, but the Eagles ended the third 73-65 ahead.

A strong start from the hosts, highlighted by a slam from Green, extended the lead to 79-67 as Plymouth’s offensive execution started to wear thin.

In desperate need of momentum in the final seven minutes, the Patriots looked to push but found Green unbeatable in all facets as the Eagles’ lead peaked at 17 thanks to his three with 6:13 left.

Newcastle were home and dry.

Player of the Game

Tajh Green got it done in just about every way possible tonight, recording 31 points, eight rebounds and three assists to push the Eagles to victory.