Jacob Polakovich finished a three points play with 4.1 seconds left in regulation to lift Bakken Bears over Newcastle Eagles in Game One of the 2025 playoffs, 87-84, on Tuesday, March 11, at the rocking Sparekassen Danmark Basketball Center in Aarhus, northern Denmark.
Players of the game
Bakken Bears never disappoint.
Even when they are not favorites, they are to their fans who showed up in big numbers to cheer on.
Jacob Polakovich had a fantastic game.
University of Southern Indiana center fueled Bears offense, especially in the third quarter when he led Aarhus comeback.
Polakovich finished with 27 points on amazing 11/12 shooting from the field and 5/6 from the charity stripe.
He added a game high 11 rebounds and registered one steal too.
Darko Jukič checked out with 19 points despite struggling from the three point line.
Guard dished out nine assists and stole the ball twice.
Urald King scored 12 of his 14 points in the first half.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University standout forward grabbed nine rebounds and blocked two shots.
Christian James led Newcastle Eagles with 19 points, setting a new personal ENBL record.
The University of Oklahoma guard joined the Eagles in late November and played his fifth league game.
De`Sean Allen-Eikens had 15 points on 6/13 shooting from the field.
California State University at Northridge guard added three rebounds and one steal.
Trey Pulliam, another mid-season arrival, posted 11 points, seven rebounds and six assists.
San Diego State University guard played for APOEL Nicosia until early January.
Key stats
Newcastle Eagles played flawless basketball in the first half.
The visitors shot 50-41-100, registered 10 assists and only two turnovers.
Tyneside Boys led by as much as 15 points but Bakken Bears cut their lead to single digits, 43-52.
Great hustle by Darko Jukič and Jacob Polakovich allowed the home team to go on a 21-9 run in the third quarter.
The hosts took a 64-61 lead but the game remained tight until the very end.
Newcastle Eagles tied the game at 84-84 but it was Jacob Polakovich who put an exclamation mark.
Game notes
Bakken Bears improved to 5-4, while Newcastle Eagles dropped to 7-2.
Anders Sommer and his men registered their third home win in five games.
This win was by far the most important as the Bears are fighting for back-to-back Final Four appearances.
Newcastle Eagles suffered fourth consecutive loss in March despite an excellent first half.
Marc Steutel and Tyneside boys need to win by four points to advance to the Final Four.
The winners of the series will face the best team from the quarterfinal match-up between Dziki Warszawa and Bamberg Baskets.
ENBL playoffs 2025 (local time only)
(A1) Newcastle Eagles – Bakken Bears (B4)
Game one: Tuesday, March 11, Bakken Bears win 87-84
Game two: Tuesday, March 18, Newcastle 19:30 (CET 20:30)
(A2) CSO Voluntari – Legia Warszawa (B3)
Game one: Wednesday, March 5, CSO Voluntari win 81-95
Game two: Tuesday, March 18, Bucharest 19:00 (CET 18:00)
(A3) Dziki Warszawa – Bamberg Baskets (B2)
Game one: Wednesday, March 5, Dziki win 95-74
Game two: Wednesday, March 19, Bamberg 20:00
(A4) Valmiera Glass ViA – Inter Bratislava (B1)
Game one: Saturday, March 1, Inter win 83-105
Game two: Tuesday, March 18, Bratislava 18:00
The 2025 Final Four location will be announced immediately after the playoffs.
Final Four 2025
Tuesday, April 8
Semifinal one: Winner A1/B4 – Winner A3/B2
Semifinal two: Winner B1/A4 – Winner B3/A2
Wednesday, April 9
Medal games
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