What a game! Bakken Bears had a 20 points lead on aggregate early in the third quarter and a 10 points lead with two minutes left in regulation but eventually needed five more minutes to beat relentless Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles 96-92 (81-86 in regulation; 188-179 on aggregate) and claim the first ticket to the 2024 ENBL Final Four.
Players of the game
Wednesday night at the Sparekassen Danmark basketball center was everything – EVERYTHING – you could ask from a basketball game.
Great entertainment, great fans and – above all – two great basketball teams giving it all.
Newcastle Eagles completed not one, but two great comebacks.
However, the Bakken Bears were the last ones to roar.
Five Bears – Malik Parsons, Ryan Evans, Skyler Bowlin, Gustav Knudsen and Noah Sorensen – scored when it mattered the most.
They went on a 13-0 run to save the day and finish the series.
Malik Parsons scored 20 points, including five points in overtime.
Northwestern Oklahoma State University standout had six rebounds, three assists and one block.
Ryan Evans (Wisconsin) posted 16 points and six rebounds.
Skyler Bowlin (Missouri Southern State University) produced amazing stat line.
Aarhus captain had 14 points, six rebounds, six assists and two steals.
Young Danes Gustav Knudsen and Noah Sorensen scored 12 and eight points respectively.
Rickey McGill delivered another MVP performance for the Newcastle Eagles.
Iona Gaels star was literally everywhere – and all the time.
Guard finished with 27 points, five rebounds, two assists and one block.
McGill registered eight (!) steals, repeating his own ENBL record.
Tajh Green also scored 27 points on 12/19 shooting from the field and 1/2 from the charity stripe.
A former Benedict College star center grabbed 10 rebounds and registered four steals.
Jordan Johnson (UNLV) shined with 18 points and eight assists.
He made three super important free throws at the end of regulation to send the game to overtime.
Key stats
Bakken Bears led by 15 points (52-37, on aggregate 144-124) after a three pointer by DeAndre Pinckney.
The Eagles fought back and answered with a 9-32 run, capped by a three pointer from Rickey McGill.
Suddenly, Marc Steutel and his Tyneside boys were up by eight points (61-69, on aggregate 153-156).
Bakken Bears experience played a part as they regained a 78-73 lead (on aggregate 170-160) with 02:08 left in regulation.
The Eagles did unthinkable and finished on a 3-13 run to tie the series at 173.
Rickey McGill had two huge steals and scored eight consecutive points, 81-83.
He missed the first chance to tie the series but stole the ball for the third time in 30 seconds!
Jordan Johnson was fouled while waiting patiently on the three point line.
Johnson sank ALL free throws, 81-86, to tie the series.
The Eagles jumped in front for a 83-92 lead but the Bakken Bears scored the last 13 points.
Game notes
Bakken Bears booked a ticket to their maiden Final Four.
Anders Sommer and his men will face the winner of the series between Šiauliai and Bristol Flyers.
Bakken Bears are 2-2 in the ENBL home games, including a 96-92 win in overtime.
Marc Steutel and Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles deserve all the love.
It was a fantastic week for British teams in Europe.
London Lions women reached the 2024 EuroCup Women final...for the first time ever.
London Lions men reached the 2024 EuroCup semifinal after a memorable win at Cluj.
Newcastle Eagles showed a strong character and a true grit.
Bakken Bears – welcome to the Final Four!
SCHEDULE (local time only)
(A1) Uniclub Casino Juventus Utena – Royal Liège Basket (B4)
Game one: Wednesday, March 13, Liège 20:00
Game two: Wednesday, March 20, Utena 18:30
(A2) Bakken Bears Aarhus – Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles (B3)
Game one: Friday, March 1, Newcastle; Bakken Bears win 92-87
Game two: Wednesday, March 13, Aarhus; Bakken Bears win in overtime 96-92 (81-86)
Bakken Bears win on aggregate, 188-179
(A3) Tartu Ülikool Maks&Moorits – CSO Voluntari (B2)
Game one: Tuesday, March 12, Tartu win 83-76
Game two: Tuesday, March 26, Bucharest 19:00
(A4) Bristol Flyers – Šiauliai (B1)
Game one: Thursday, March 7, Šiauliai win 84-76
Game two: Tuesday, March 19, Šiauliai 18:00