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Match Review: Airwaves
Plymouth Raiders Vs Newcastle Eagles
BBL Championship Match
Sunday 1st November - 4.00pm -
Plymouth
Pavilions
Monday,
November, 2, 2009
Airwaves Plymouth Raiders 96
(Gall 14, Valencia 13,
Hilleary 10)
Sheffield Sharks 95
(Cook 20, Toney 17, Lyons 12)
After Overtime
 Airwaves
Plymouth Raiders shocked league leaders Newcastle Eagles to secure
their first win of the season with a thrilling 96-95 home victory.
After Florentino Valencia had made two free throws to force
overtime, the match was undecided until an Anthony Martin (pictured)
bucket with 50 seconds remaining in the extra period gave Raiders
the lead for good.
Earlier Darius Defoe carried the Eagles offence in an even first
quarter at the Pavilions. Scoring the first eight points for his
team, Defoe helped Newcastle to a 10-18 lead before the home side
went on a 17-6 run to go in front. Veteran Charles Smith hit the
final basket of the quarter to give Eagles a 27-28 advantage.
Smith continued to trouble the Raiders defence in the second
quarter. His six points formed the bulk of a 10 - 4 run to give
Eagles a 31-38 lead.
Terry Horton and Florentino Valencia combined for nine points to
bring Plymouth level at 40- 40 before Smith and a Reggie Jackson
three put Newcastle 40-45 up at half time.
Newcastle again let throughout the third quarter with their lead
peaking at eight several times. A 14-4 run by Raiders, inspired by
Allister Gall and Martin, briefly gave them the lead at 65-63
before the teams headed into the final stanza locked at 67-67.
Neither side could break free in the fourth quarter with Eagles
holding the biggest lead at four (75-79). Charles Smith almost won
it in regulation with a three to make it 82-84 but he fouled
Valencia with 10 seconds remaining and the Raiders player calmly
slotted both free throws to send the match into overtime.
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