Part 2 of Manchester’s double header weekend saw them host the league leading London Lions. This would be the third time both of these times have suited up against one another with London currently having the upper hand over Manchester in their previous two outings. 

Both teams are coming off the back of impressive wins. Manchester recently beat Bristol Friday night after an emphatic comeback away from home whilst London are coming off the back of a win away from home against the Leicester Riders. 

The London Lions sit top of the table heading into this game with 13 wins and a single loss on the season. Manchester on the other hand, currently sit 9th heading into this fixture with 3 total wins, Coach Semonian’s men do have multiple games in hand with only 12 games played so far this season. 

A positive opening quarter for Manchester, through a string of solid defensive plays from Nicholas Lewis intercepting a pass to the outside and then converting on the fast break to Mason Bourcier drawing charging fouls on Matt Morgan, The Giants managed to keep the league leaders quiet and to 16 points in total whilst Jalen Harris, Jamell Anderson, William Lee and Nicholas Lewis combined to produce 18 and give Manchester an early lead. 

London bit back to open the second quarter, a quick 11-2 scoring run put them back in the driving seat of this game. Manchester still managed to keep pace throughout, unable to retake the lead but still kept themselves within grasp of their opponents despite being outscored 24-32 in the quarter. London have managed to contest a majority of Giants shots as well as forcing them to shoot from inside the paint in comparison to their offensive scheme of perimeter shooting that gave London a 6 point lead heading into the second half. 

Second Half:

The third allowed London to further their lead over Manchester, more shots from outside the arc going 4/7 in the quarter and 8/15 from the field. Manchester still managed to keep pace with their adversaries only being outscored by a single basket as Coach Semonian’s team put up 20 shots in the quarter. 

The final quarter in the game gave us an even match up and a shootout between Giants guard Nicholas Lewis and Lions guard Matt Morgan. Both guards went shot for shot and basket for basket against each other. It was ultimately Lewis who gained the upper hand and led all players in scoring with a staggering 33 points. 

Stats: 

Jamell Anderson: 21 Points, 4 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 2 Steals

Nicholas Lewis: 33 Points, 7 Rebounds, 4 Assists, 4 Steals 

Austin Lawton: 7 Points, 5 Rebounds, 4 Steals 

The double header weekends don’t stop here as next weekend the Giants gear up for another weekend jam packed with basketball, their first game sees them take on the Plymouth City Patriots at home on Friday November 24th. Tip off will be at 7:45pm. 

All highlights from today’s clash will be available to view below: