NEWCASTLE Eagles moved another step closer to lifting the BBL Championship title following a close-fought 82-78 victory over title rivals Sheffield Sharks.
Malik Cooke had double-double of 19 points and 12 rebounds, with Darius Defoe also adding 19 points for the Eagles, who posted their ninth successive win.
BJ Holmes scored a game-high 24 for the Sharks but to no avail, and Newcastle can now secure the title next weekend if they beat Birmingham and Surrey.
Sheffield's defeat means Worcester Wolves stand alone in second spot after they hammered Durham Wildcats 88-66.
Will Creekmore was the star of the show for Worcester with 36 points as the home side pulled away from their opponents in the second half.
In Friday's other game, Victor Moses and Dominique Coleman both poured in 25 points as Cheshire Phoenix saw off London Lions 92-88 to move level on points with the capital side.
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