The Durham Wildcats saw their BBL trophy dreams crushed as they lost 92-72 against the Newcastle Eagles last night.

Dave Elderkin's men went in to only their second BBL game after losing last week again to the Eagles.

But there were positives to take from encounter as the rookie team find their BBL legs.

Elderkin said: "Firstly the score was better than last time and we scored more. It was always going to be tough coming to their home court and taking them on but it shows we can compete with them when we play our game.

"Ultimately I'm really pleased with the way we played."

The first period was a tight affair and while the Eagles took it 21-19, Elderkin's men held their own with none of the nerves shown last week against their North-East rivals.

Period two belonged initially to the home side who tore into to an 11-3 run, but the Wildcats soon clawed their way back with 14-6 spell of their own.

Fab Flournoy's men held onto their lead though and the half-time break saw Durham trailing 42-36.

An excellent first half from the visitors looked to have taken its toll on the rookie team as a scrappy third quarter saw Newcastle dominate and extended their lead to 64-50 going in to the final period.

The sting had been taken out of Durham by the final period, but they continued to dig in and fight until the final whistle, eventually losing 92-72.

American import Fred Hinnenkamp said: "It was tough, coming here and taking on the Eagles. They're a great team and made it really hard for us.

"Foul trouble hurt us a bit, but we're a new team and we're getting used to each other.

"I can't wait to come back and play them next time round."

Wildcats travel to Scotland tomorrow and Elderkin has identified weaknesses in the Glasgow Rocks lineup after taking in their 85-63 defeat at Sports Central a week ago.

He said: "The players who caught my eye were EJ Harrison, who played for Tees Valley Mohawks with Ralph (Bucci), so I guess Ralph will know him pretty well, and Mychal Greene.

"I thought in the fourth quarter, when they both started knocking shots down, I thought they would make a comeback against the Eagles, but once they got within single digits the Eagles stepped up their defense pressure, and Rocks lost their way.

"If we're going to have a chance against them we have to put them under pressure."

Paul Elderkin has started light rehab on a shoulder injury, and may make a return in November.