23rd March 2008 Guildford Heat 86-79 Newcastle Eagles

BBL Championship Match Preview

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Guildford Heat kept alive the possibility of retaining the BBL title with an excellent 86-79 win over league leaders Newcastle Eagles at the Spectrum.

Heat still need to rely on other teams defeating the Eagles, but could do more than beating their rivals when given the opportunity.

After conceding the first points of the match Heat stunned their visitors with a 24-8 run to assume control. A Daniel Gilbert three began the burst and Gilbert followed with a further six points as Heat dominated. Newcastle hit back with a 6-0 run of their own to trail 26-10 at the end of the first quarter.

Heat extended their lead with a 6-3 start to the second quarter before Newcastle began to show why they hold an eight point advantage at the top of the BBL. A 13-4 run tied the match at 40-40. Guildford scored the final four points of the half to lead 44-40 at the interval.

Newcastle again tied the match at 44-44 and briefly took the lead (48-49) before runs of 5-0 and 12-4, with six points from Michael Martin, by the Heat broke the match open 70-59. A Jeremy Hyatt three sparked a 5-2 close to the half by Newcastle to close the gap to 72-64 with ten minutes remaining.

The Eagles continued to eat into the Heat lead in the final stanza. Runs of 8-2 and 5-2 put them within four (83-79) with 57 seconds on the clock before Michael Martin calmed home nerves with a two. James Jones split two free throws with 23 seconds left to complete the scoring.

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