The Manchester Giants travelled to the Tyne for their first matchup of the new year and their first match up in the newly revamped BBL Trophy. This evening's fixture would see Manchester take on Newcastle. 

A new format for this year's BBL Trophy where all teams are separated into 2 groups of 5 and play each time once throughout January. The culmination will be at the end of January where the final weekend will be packed full of basketball and all in the Utilita arena in Birmingham. 

William Lee took a three ball over his defender to string it and followed up from Jamell Anderson who is back from injury in this game. Legend Robertin gets onto an putback slam for a sizeable and early lead against Newcastle. The north east outfit were working with an 8 man rotation this evening. A big 7-0 run for Manchester midway through the quarter. Defoe hit a deep three and put the pressure on Manchester and cut their lead to 3. Larry Austin Jr fave Newcastle a huge boost with 4 points in back to back possessions to put the lead in favour of the home team. 

A 9-0 run from Newcastle sent Manchester reeling with all the points either being scored or assisted by Larry Austin Jr who managed to put his team ahead. Newcastle began to feed off of the energy from Austin Jr and managed to put 27 past the Giants in the first quarter as they went ahead 27-20. 

Some good hustle from Austin Lawton to grab the offensive board and convert the putback, Manchester started off the quarter with real effort which would hopefully reflect the quarter for them. A pair of big three balls from Jamell Anderson and Evan Walshe put the Giants hot on Newcastle's heels, Walshe followed up with another shot from beyond the arc as the teams began trading baskets back and forth before Austin Jr went back to his left hand and forced a timeout. 

A big needed open three from the corner courtesy of Jamell Anderson put this game back to a single possession game which was much needed for Manchester in an attempt to spur the Giants on. A big bucket in the final seconds for Manchester as Evan Walshe converted from close off a Nicholas Lewis shot to put the game 45-44 in favour of the Eagles but with plenty of ball left to play. 

Second Half: 

Manchester re took the lead early doors from William Lee, a pair of free throws as the Giants forward followed it up by a close lay up off the back of a Bourcier assist. Nicholas Lewis kept his scoring tally going courtesy of a big offensive rebound from the 7”1 big man Legend Robertin. The volume shooter Nicholas Lewis turned provider as he timed a pass perfectly to the cutting Jamell Anderson who drew the foul for the and one play to see Manchester take the lead. Giants began to start ticking over as Nicholas Lewis showed off his slashing ability with a big 2 ball to double Manchester’s lead. A big 3 from the hot hand of William Lee sees Manchester keep their noses in front. 

Newcastle began to fight back, big physical play from the 8 man rotation and constantly attacking the paint allowed them to keep pace and even regain the lead once more. 

Newcastle went on a 6-0 scoring run after the commercial break to try and create space from Manchester who were struggling defensively out of the break. A strong quarter from Newcastle as they outscored Manchester 28-17 and took a 12 point lead heading into the fourth. 

Manchester began to run out of time to resolve the deficit. A fair few scoreless possessions on offence coupled with defensive woes especially when defending at all 3 levels saw the fatigued Eagles managed to maintain their 12 point lead from the quarter prior. Consistent turnovers throughout the entirety of the game proved to be Manchester’s Achilles heel as Newcastle consistently found themselves on the end of a Giants lob pass and could counter with a quick fast break bucket which they did with a staggering 23 fast break points off the back of 20 Manchester turnovers and 15 steals from Newcastle. Manchester’s fate would subsequently be sealed as they kicked off their cup campaign with a loss to a Newcastle Eagles team who ran a 6 man rotation. 

Stats: 

William Lee: 23 Points, 15 Rebounds, 2 Blocks. 

Nicholas Lewis: 12 Points, 5 Rebounds, 3 Assists. 

Jamell Anderson: 11 Points, 44%FG.

Evan Walshe: 12 Points, 50%FG, 40%3PT.

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Manchester are back on the road for the BBL Trophy 5 days later as they head to the Morningside Arena to take on the Leicester Riders. Tip off is scheduled for 7:45pm and will be available to view via the British Basketball League’s YouTube channel. 

All game footage from this evenings fixture will be available to view below: