London, Sunday 15 March — The London Lions delivered one of their most complete performances of the season on Sunday evening, defeating the Newcastle Eagles 98–71 at the Copper Box Arena behind a commanding first-half display.

London set the tone early and never looked back, holding Newcastle to just 26 points in the first half while building a lead that reached as many as 32 points. The victory continues the Lions’ strong push in the Super League Basketball standings as the team moves closer to full health and full rhythm.

Head Coach Tautvydas Sabonis praised his team’s execution and defensive effort after the game.

“We played a very well-rounded game,” Sabonis said. “The guys understood the task at hand. Leaving them at 26 points in the first half is a great result and a great showing from my guys. The only downside is that we relaxed in the second half — we should’ve gone more for the throat — but again the guys understood the task and I’m very happy with my gentlemen.”

Several Lions contributed in the balanced win. Joel Scott and Kam McGusty each finished with 13 points, while Chaundee Brown Jr. added 11 points. Aaryn Rai and Ovie Soko both chipped in 10 points, highlighting a deep offensive effort that saw every Lion get on the scoreboard.

Scott, who anchored much of the Lions’ interior presence, credited the team’s energy and focus for the dominant performance.

“I thought we came out with energy and we executed the game plan well,” Scott said. “When we do the things we need to do — the little things — we usually get the result we want, and we did that today.”

London wasted no time igniting the Copper Box crowd. Chaundee Brown Jr. opened the scoring with a fast-break dunk after a Lions steal, setting the tone for a relentless start. Tarik Phillip added a floater, while Deane Williams powered in a tough finish inside as London jumped ahead early.

Brown continued his energetic opening period with another powerful slam off a Joel Scott assist to beat the shot clock, while threes from Morayo Soluade and Williams helped stretch the lead. A defensive sequence from Aaryn Rai, followed by Shavar Reynolds Jr. finding Ovie Soko for a lob and and-one, highlighted a dominant two-way stretch as London closed the quarter ahead 27–10.

The Lions’ momentum only intensified in the second period.

Rai added a floater off a cut, before Reynolds raced coast-to-coast for a tough finish, forcing a Newcastle timeout as London extended the run to 33–10. The Lions surged with a 22–2 run, completely controlling the pace of the game.

McGusty, continuing to settle back into the lineup after his recent return, knocked down a pull-up jumper before later hitting a three off a Tarik Phillip drive and kick. Joel Scott added an and-one finish and another interior score as London closed the half with authority.

By halftime, the Lions led 58–26, holding Newcastle to just five made field goals in the half, with more than half of their points coming from the free-throw line.

“I think everyone is just excited,” Scott said when discussing the team’s growing chemistry as players return to the lineup. “People are coming back and everyone’s excited to have those guys back who have been out. This is a tight group — we’ve been close friends since the beginning of the year — and everyone is just ready to keep improving every day.”

Newcastle attempted to find momentum in the third quarter behind scores from Maceo Jack and Terrell Burden, but London continued to respond. Brown attacked the baseline for an and-one opportunity, while Joel Scott electrified the arena with a powerful dunk off a pocket pass.

Later in the quarter, Amin Adamu knocked down a three, a moment that ensured every Lion had scored as London extended the lead to 71–36.

Although Newcastle briefly pushed back during a small run late in the third, McGusty buried a three to close the quarter, restoring the Lions’ control at 78–52 entering the final period.

London maintained its advantage throughout the fourth quarter, with McGusty connecting on a step-back three and Reynolds adding a jumper after an offensive rebound. Rai capped another sharp offensive sequence with a finish before the Lions comfortably closed out the 98–71 victory.

The Lions now turn their attention to a busy and important stretch ahead.

London returns to action Thursday at NCC Fitness in Hackney, before traveling to Manchester for the SLB Cup Final on Sunday.