The Manchester Giants play off push continues this Saturday evening as the Manchester Giants travel to Surrey Sports Park to take on the Scorchers. 

It was a close affair between these two teams the last time out, a single possession separated the 2 sides and the Manchester Giants ran out as eventual winners. Surrey would be looking for redemption and both teams would be looking for an advantage over the other, the head to head match up being tied at 1 a piece. 

Starting 5’s: 

Manchester Giants: Mason Bourcier, Nicholas Lewis, Nick Stampley , William Lee, Legend Robertin. 

Surrey Scorchers: Justin Robinson, Josh Steel, Saiquan Jamison, Padiet Wang, Abdul Mohammed

First Half: 

Both teams are fighting for that final play off spot and the ferocity between the two sides was apparent. Nick Stampley kicked off proceedings with an instant 3 ball followed up by a tough make in the paint on the next possession, Scorchers Padiet Wang split Stampley's scoring antics with a 3 of his own but was nullified through another 3 this time from Mason Bourcier. 

Both teams took the game to each other through the first quarter, 59 total points were scored all quarter and both teams were only split by one possession. Scorchers Obukwelu and Giants Austin Lawton traded buckets before William Lee let fly from beyond the arc to cut the lead to 3. 

Manchester went to the line 2 seperate times to start off the 2nd quarter. Evan Walshe and Nick Stampley going 4/4 from the charity stripe and kept the pressure on Surrey. The gung-ho style of the 1st quarter was balanced by a more defensive approach for the 2nd quarter. Manchester began to lock Surrey out and force difficult shots especially from the perimeter. 

Nicholas Lewis have Manchester the lead right after the commercial break and William Lee bolstered it with a bucket of his own. Both teams began trading buckets down the stretch before Nicholas Lewis emerged once again in the final seconds of the quarter to give Manchester a single point lead over the Scorchers.  

Second half: 

Surrey responded and with force in the 3rd quarter. Manchester opened up with a 6-0 scoring run through their big men in William Lee and Legend Robertin. Surrey ended up out scoring Manchester by 4 in the third and continued their brand of basketball in the form of plenty of 3’s. Despite drawing ahead through their front court, Manchester lapses in their discipline and allowed Surrey an outlet through Andrew Lawrence. 

Surrey continued to find rhythm early in the 4th quarter despite some tough makes from Nicholas Lewis beyond the arc. William Lee continued to make his presence felt and began to limit the Scorchers lead. Mason Bourcier showed how deep his offensive bag is with a stylish reverse layup to cut the lead to a single possession. Surreys Andrew Lawrence put the final nail in the coffin to seal a W for the hosts. 

Stats: 

Nicholas Lewis: 25 Points, 5 Rebounds, 5 Assists. 

Nick Stampley: 21 Points, 7 Rebounds, 60%FG. 

William Lee: 14 Points, 14 Rebounds, 46%FG. 

The next game in the Manchester Giants calendar sees them back at home against the Caledonia Gladiators. Tip off is scheduled for March 1st at 7:30pm with doors opening at 6:30pm. 

All highlights from tonight’s game will be available to view below: