Smith is top-scoring star as Eagles win cup

BASKETBALL: Veteran American Charles Smith top-scored with a record 39 points as the Newcastle Eagles powered to a 115-94 win over the Plymouth Raiders in yesterday’s BBL Cup final at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham. Smith’s was the stand-out display of a one-sided win for the Eagles, who claimed victory in the competition for the first time since 2006 courtesy of a record cup final points total.

Newcastle raced into a 35-20 lead at the end of the first quarter and were thereafter never in danger. Smith’s MVP-winning display marked a new record for BBL Cup final points and came about largely thanks to an impressive performance from long range, the guard forward connecting with five of seven three-point attempts.