Patriots defy all odds to seal eighth and a play-off position

THE Plymouth City Patriots, with their destiny in their own hands, took on the Newcastle Eagles in a winner takes all match-up that excited a sold-out Pavilions from start to finish.

- PABLO CHEEKS

PLYMOUTH CITY PATRIOTS.....80

NEWCASTLE EAGLES.....72

It was a tense Sunday afternoon following the Friday night loss to this season's league champions, Leicester Riders, which set up a decider between the Patriots and the Eagles, where a victory would see either team secure the eighth seed and a place in this season's play-offs.

Although tense, the atmosphere was electric and felt more like a cup final than a league game. With so much at stake, both teams would want to get a good start from the opening tip-off, and thankfully for the home fans, it was Plymouth that forced the tempo and early baskets from Rashad Hassan and a breakaway dunk from Rowell Graham-Bell, which brought the crowd to its feet.

The Eagles would not be a pushover, however, always managing to keep the Patriots within reach, despite going down by as many as 10 points with heroic performances from Darius Defoe and former two-time league MVP Rahmon Fletcher.

The Patriots maintained their advantage throughout the contest with exceptional defensive shifts from Elvisi Dusha and Denzel Ubiaro, both making life difficult for the Eagles' star players.

Credit as well to Antonio Williams who has been an attacking force in the British Basketball League this season. He is currently second in the league for scoring and assists.