Newcastle Eagles were crowned the BBL Play-off champions for the first time thanks to an enthralling 78-75 victory over the TCS Chester Jets at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham on Sunday evening.
It was the second successive year Jets had been beaten in the final, but they had the consolation of being the league champions.
Jets, who had beaten Scottish Rocks in Saturday's semi-final 74-72, were fastest out of the blocks, scoring eight of the opening 10 points, but Eagles fought back in a close first quarter to trail by a single point at the close at 14-13.
The Jets started the second quarter in the same vein as the first opening up a five point lead at 30-25 midway through the period, but the Eagles fought back again and trailed by a single point at 38-37 going into the half time break.
The second half saw the Eagles take their first lead of the game at 46-44 off the back of a 9-2 burst, but the Jets finished the third period the stronger closing out with a 10-5 tear to lead 60-55 going into the final stanza.
The final quarter saw the Eagles tie the game at 64-64 off the back of a 9-4 opening to the quarter.
The Jets came back immediately netting six of the next eight points to lead 70-66 with six minutes remaining in the game, which was broken open thanks to a 11-2 Eagles run with all the Newcastle points being shared by Charles Smith and Andrew Sullivan to give them a four-point lead at 77-73 with 1:36 remaining.
A Delme Herriman basket for the Jets closed the gap to two before Jeremy Hyatt sunk one of his foul shots with 17.3 seconds remaining.
The Jets had the chance to send the game to overtime, but Trey Moore and Calvin Davis both had shots blocked at the death to give the Eagles the victory.
Sullivan was named MVP with a game-high 27 points for the Eagles, while the Jets scoring was led by Trey Moore with 20.
See Friday's Chester Chronicle for more news on the Jets.
