Durham spoil the party at new Arena
WBBL Championship
Newcastle Eagles 63-75 Durham Palatinates (17-21, 36-35, 45-62)
Durham Palatinates claimed the derby spoils to deny Newcastle Eagles victory in their first game at the Eagles Community Arena.
The visitors boost their Play-Off hopes as they go level with Caledonia Pride and Oaklands Wolves on a 4-9 record with Newcastle dropping to 5-7.
Leading scorers – Kara Bonenberger 21, Maya Price 16, Giulia Simioni/Kalina Axentieva 11 (Eagles) – Monika Bosilj 26, Harriet Otewill-Soulsby 20, Rudiane Eduardo 14 (Palatinates)
Turning point – Durham went into the locker rooms trailing by a single point, but came out firing in the third with a huge 27-9 third period to open up a commanding lead and it would be one they would not relinquish.
Key stat – The Eagles were unable to get their outside shooting going, finishing 3 of 20 from behind the arc, while Durham connected on 42% of their 19 attempts.
Game hero(es) – Bosilj put up 26 points along with 11 rebounds to lead the way with Otewill-Soulsby adding 20 points, 12 boards and four assists, while Eduardo completed a trio of double-doubles with 14 points and 10 rebounds.