Essex Rebels Fall Short to the Eagles by a Single Point.

Essex Rebels Women endured a narrow 83-82 loss against Newcastle Eagles at the Essex Sport Arena.  

The final scoreline reflected a tightly contested game, with momentum swinging between both sides from start to finish. 

The opening quarter quickly set the tone for what proved to be a closely fought battle. Despite the Eagles getting off to the perfect start through summer signing Raven Thompson, who opened the scoring with a three-point jump shot, consecutive lay-ups from Rebels star Lara Rohkohl immediately levelled the scores. 

With two minutes left on the clock, Claire Paxton fired the Rebels two points ahead, handing the hosts their first lead of the contest. The visitors, however, responded with a three-pointer of their own and carried that advantage into the closing stages of the quarter, leading 23-20 after the opening ten minutes. 

The second quarter unfolded in much of the same fashion, with the lead changing hands repeatedly. Rohkohl remained influential throughout, scoring 10 points in the period. But the Eagles consistently found answers through Nala Williams and Alex Campbell whose efforts helped Newcastle edge into a narrow 40-39 lead at the half-time break. 

The visitors produced their strongest spell of the game during the third quarter, opening their largest advantage of the evening as they built a seven-point lead.  

However, the Rebels responded emphatically in the closing stages, with three consecutive three-pointers, two from Olivia Partridge and one from Cameron Taylor-Willis, halting the Eagles’ momentum and cutting the deficit to just two points heading into the final quarter at 64-62. 

With the game finely poised, the Rebels seized control early in the fourth. Paxton caught fire from beyond the arc while Rohkohl continued to dominate at both ends of the floor, helping Essex establish a five-point advantage midway through the period. 

Newcastle, however, produced a late surge, capitalising on second-chance opportunities and key defensive plays to claw their way back in front.  

Despite Paxton drilling a buzzer-beating three-pointer to leave the Rebels just one point behind, the Eagles held on to secure a dramatic 83-82 victory. 

The Rebels will travel to Nottingham next weekend to face Nottingham Wildcats.