The Manchester Giants showcased their mettle in an intense showdown to beat the Leicester Riders in game week 5 of the British Basketball League.
In their second victory of the 2023-24 season, the Giants came out victorious with a score of 94-80 over second-place Leicester Riders.
Starting Five:
Manchester Giants starting five: Jalen Harris, Jamell Anderson, Mason Bourcier, Austin Lawton, Evan Walshe.
Leicester Riders starting five: Miryne Thomas, Xavier Pinson, Caleb Asberry, Jaren Holmes, Braelen Bridges.
First Half:
Leicester Riders, led by Xavier Pinson, converted the first two points, in an electrifying opening quarter.
Caleb Asberry provided a number of clean looks for the Riders, closing out the first quarter with a team-high eight points.
Manchester performed admirably on the defensive end in the absence of rim protectors Legend Robertin and William Lee. Stepping up, Jamell Anderson nabbed four steals before halftime.
The Giants bench stepped up, scoring 15 points in the first quarter. Sharpshooter Nicholas Lewis, who recently scored 24 points against the league leaders, the London Lions, made a fantastic buzzer-beater three-pointer to round up the opening period.
In the second quarter, the Riders maintained the pressure. TJ Lall made significant contributions, grabbing rebounds and creating defensive stops.
Leicester’s fast breaks led to important scores, including a remarkable dunk by Pinson down the lane.
In a fiercely contested battle with both teams giving their all, the halftime score was tied at 46-46.
Second Half:
As the players returned to the court after the halftime break, the energy was palpable.
Riders wasted no time hitting back, as Pinson executed another breakaway dunk, stealing the ball from the Giants’ attack.
The Giants took control with a key steal by Evan Walshe, leading to a crucial three-pointer from Jalen Harris, giving them a 6-point lead, forcing Leicester to call a timeout.
Walshe’s impressive offensive performance, shooting at 80% from the field before the fourth quarter, extended their lead into double digits.
Calving a double-digit lead for the first time in the game, the Giants battled endlessly to maintain their strong run.
Equally, Leicester muscled their way back into the game, bringing the lead back to within a few points.
Entering the final quarter, the Riders made an 8-0 run, threatening to overturn the game.
The Giants maintained their lead, however, focusing on clock management and limiting turnovers.
An acrobatic chase-down block by Lewis demonstrated Manchester’s determination to secure the win. Paired with Anderson’s laser shooting, the Giants climbed back up to a 14-point advantage.
Player of the Game
Earning Player of the Game, Giants captain Jamell Anderson stuffed the stat sheet, finishing with 19 points, 7 rebounds, 6 assists, and 6 steals, in a hard-fought victory.
Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
Manchester Giants | Jamell Anderson | 19 | 7 | 6 |
Manchester Giants | Jalen Harris | 20 | 6 | 4 |
Leicester Riders | Xavier Pinson | 15 | 3 | 4 |
Leicester Riders | Caleb Asberry | 15 | 3 | 0 |
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