Basketball: Eagles fly too high for Scots

DESPITE 27 points from former home star Steve Leven, Scotland went down 74-66 to Newcastle Eagles in a basketball challenge game at the Benfield Sports Centre, Newcastle.

Without two key players, Edinburgh Kings guard Laurie Costello and Arbroath star Gareth Murray, Scotland could not hold on to their half-time 42-35 lead against a Newcastle team also missing several of their leading players.

Three other Kings, Paddy Campbell, Gareth Lodge and Simon Flockhart all played.

Ross Campbell added 14 points for Scotland, who face Denmark in their opening game of the Euro C Championships in Malta in just over a month's time and Scotland coach Tom Campbell said: "That's exactly the type of preparation we need for Malta."