BBL: Perfect London Lions net another win in Newcastle

The first quarter showed both teams’ shot-making abilities with over 50 points scored, as Lions netted 30 off 22 shots (59 per cent).

Gabe Olaseni and Conor Morgan led the way for the defending champions, with the rest of the Lions scoring efficiently.

Leading 30-22 at the first break, the Lions kept up the pace with their devastating offence, with Eagles only managing 13 points in the second quarter.

Morgan had 12 points to his name by the midway mark, with Olaseni putting up points, five rebounds and a remarkable seven assists.

London were spreading their offence with an incredible 21 assists by the end of the second quarter and were 60-35 up.

But the Eagles tried to get back into the contest, with Jordan Johnson and Devin Whitfield combining for 36 points by the end of the third quarter.

The Lions continued to spread their offence around, adding another eight assists to make 28 by the final break, to lead 84-63 with Morgan up to 17 points and Olaseni moving closer to a triple-double.

And although Newcastle were able to give the score a more respectable look in the final session, it could be argued the Lions had taken their foot off the pedal.

With Olaseni, Sam Dekker and Tarik Phillip registering less than 18 minutes each, the Lions bench played out the rest of the game, adding 15 points to the tally.

Eagles showed their prowess with Rickey McGill adding 15 points, but it wasn’t enough to catch the Lions.

Olaseni took the player of the game award after putting up 13 points, 10 rebounds and nine assists, just missing out on the season’s first triple-double.

Lions welcome Bristol Flyers to the Copper Box Arena for their next BBL test on Friday (7.45pm), before visiting Plymouth City Patriots on Sunday (7pm).

*London Lions women welcome Gdessa Barreiro for their next EuroCup test on Wednesday (7pm).

They beat Rutronik Stars 93-50 in Germany on Friday, with Holly Winterburn scoring 16 points, 11 rebounds and eight assists.