A technical foul with 18.9 seconds left ruined Royal Liège Basket chances for an early ticket to the playoffs, as the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles secured a 100-92 home win on Tuesday, January 23, at the Vertu Motors arena in northern England.
Players of the game
“Eagles, Eagles,” Newcastle fans were clapping and cheering for their team all game long.
Jordan Johnson became the fifth player in the ENBL history to register at least 13 assists in a single game.
A former UNLV Runnin` Rebel scored a game high 28 points on 9/21 shooting from the field and 8/10 effort from the charity stripe.
Rickey Mcgill posted another stellar double-double.
A former Iona Gaels guard finished with 26 points and 11 assists.
Tajh Green contributed with 18 points.
Benedict College star center grabbed seven rebounds.
Last but not least, Dominica-UK power forward Darius Defoe had a dirty dozen – 13 points.
Six visiting players scored in double figures.
E.J. Anosike led the Liège Basket with 23 points on 9/15 shooting from the field.
A former CSU Fullerton power forward had seven boards.
Kevin Tumba posted 10 points and a game high 16 rebounds.
Bram Bogaerts had 17 points and five assists.
Captain Brieuc Lemaire chipped in with 11 points and seven assists.
Key stats
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles led by as much as 16 points.
The hosts scored 35 points in the third quarter for a 80-64 lead.
However, the game went down to the wire.
A smart Liège team made it a single possession game, 95-92, with little more than 20 seconds left.
Bram Bogaerts fouled Jordan Johnson with 18.9 seconds left.
The referees reviewed episode and Kevin Tumba received a technical foul.
Rickey Mcgill made a free throw and was fouled four seconds later to sank a pair of free throws, 98-92.
The last Liège attack ended with a turnover.
Visitors fouled and Mcgill was perfect again from the free throw line, 100-92.
The Eagles had 24 assists and only nine turnovers, compared to 22 assists and 16 turnovers for Liège.
Assists in a single game | ENBL records
Aigars Šķēle 19 March 12, 2023, Zastal 97-94 BM Stal
Donatas Sabeckis 13 March 30, 2022, Liepāja 81-83 Šiauliai
D.J. Cooper 13 December 27, 2022, Ness Ziona 94-80 Brno
D.J. Cooper 13 December 28, 2022, Szczecin 89-86 Ness Ziona
Bryce Alford 13 March 12, 2023, Zastal 97-94 BM Stal
Jordan Johnson 13 January 23, 2024, Newcastle 100-92 Liège
Rebounds | ENBL records
Dean Mickelson 21 December 2, 2021, Valmiera 77-79 Brno
Noah Dickerson 16 October 31, 2023, Zwolle 77-62 Svendborg
Hameir Wright 16 November 8, 2023, Svendborg 62-102 Lublin
Kevin Tumba 16 January 23, 2024, Newcastle 100-92 Liège
Game notes
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles improved to 3-2, while Royal Liège Basket dropped to 4-2.
Marc Steutel and his men posted important win after an early exit at the 2024 BBL Trophy.
They have multiple options to qualify for the 2024 ENBL playoffs.
The same is true for Alex Zampier and Royal Liège Basket, despite missing their first chance.
ENBL access: follow the game on YouTube live stream
Format
Four best teams from each group will qualify for the playoffs (A1-B4, A2-B3, A3-B2, A4-B1).
The 2024 playoffs – home and away, best-of-two series – will take place from February 15 until March 20.
The 2024 Final Four will take place on April 9-10.
Standings, as of January 23, 2024
Group A
Uniclub Casino Juventus 5-0 (+87) Qualified
Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits 4-2 (+47) Qualified
Bakken Bears Aarhus 4-1 (+61)
Bristol Flyers 3-3 (+39)
Polski Cukier Start Lublin 3-3 (-1)
Landstede Hammers Zwolle 1-3 (-44)
Svendborg Rabbits 1-5 (-133)
Spartak Pleven 1-5 (-56)
Group B
CSO Voluntari 5-1 (+67) Qualified
Royal Liège Basket 4-2 (+60)
Zastal Zielona Gora 4-1 (+25)
Šiauliai 4-1 (+39)
Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles 3-2 (+20)
Keila Coolbet 2-4 (-39)
Basket Brno 1-5 (-58)
Valmiera Glass ViA 0-7 (-114)
Tie-breaker 1: Zielona Gora vs Šiauliai 1-0, +26.
Tie-breaker 2: Šiauliai vs Newcastle 1-0, +2.
Tie-breaker 3: Šiauliai vs Voluntari 1-0, +8.
Tie-breaker 4: Liège vs Zielona Gora 1-0, +23.
Tie-breaker 5: Voluntari vs Liège 1-0, +21.
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