Leeds Force 86 Newcastle Eagles 91: Jermaine Sanders effort not enough as Eagles soar in fourth quarter

Jermaine Sanders scored 31 points as Leeds Force fell to Newcastle Eagles (Picture: Kieron Nevison)

Jermaine Sanders scored a huge 31 points for Leeds Force as they came as close as they ever have to toppling BBL heavyweights Newcastle Eagles last night.

Leeds have lost all seven of their games against the seven-time league winners and six-time play-off champions.

But they led going into the final quarter and were level at half-time yesterday at the Carnegie Sports Arena as Matt Newby’s side threatened an upset.

A strong third quarter which Leeds won 26-14, gave them a 12-point lead going into the final period, before the experienced Eagles soared back into contention and into a winning position with a dominant fourth quarter.

Sanders, a 24-year-old 6ft 5in small forward – recruited from America in the summer – led the way with 31 points, with Robert Sandoval adding 16 and Clayfell Harris and Rob Marsden chipping in with 11 points apiece.