The Giants emerge victorious on retro night as they surpass the Leicester Riders 85-83.

‍Tonight was retro night in the National Basketball Performance Centre as the Manchester Giants and Leicester Riders got nostalgic and donned 90’s inspired retro jerseys for the event. Jamell Anderson kicks off retro night with a three from the left elbow to give the Giants an early lead.

Anderson wasn't done there as he took the opening minutes by storm with a quick cut to the basket and a slam that could be heard from Leicester to tie the Giants up with the riders at 5 a piece. Inside play seemed to be the go to for both teams throughout the opening quarter with all but two makes coming from inside the paint, Giants were consistently being a pest on defence with multiple steals early on with Geno Artison picking up a steal and Will Saunders picking up a pair for himself.

Will Saunders with the hot hand early on hitting tough threes back to back. The NBPC became slam city in this first quarter as Jamell Anderson, Will Saunders and Geno Artison put on a show for the Giants fans in attendance tonight with posterizing slams over the riders and slam dunks on the fastbreak to get the fans on their feet.

With an exciting opening quarter the score ends all even at 20-20.   In the previous two encounters, the second quarter has been a pitfall for Manchester against Leicester and this time around it seemed to be no issue with the Giants offence operating on all cylinders with Geno Artison getting to the rim early doors and captain Jack Hudson showing off his range by sinking a three.

As good as the Giants offence has been, the Riders offence has been just as potent, matching each-other point for point in a quarter where a single possession has separated them both. Jordan Whelan checks into the game and gives the Giants their biggest lead of the quarter with a reverse layup. The end to end basketball continued throughout the quarter as it ended with the Giants taking the lead against the Riders as both teams headed into the quarter 41-38.

The third quarter gets underway and the Giants kick off right where they left off, stripping the Riders of possession and converting the basket which is exactly what Tyrik Armstrong did. Geno Artison also showed some razzle dazzle this quarter with a behind the back move into a crossover and finished with a lovely floater that was nothing but net.

With back to back threes from Zach Jackson and Marc Loving saw the Riders take a brief one point lead, this was quickly rectified via Jack Hudson getting to the basket to convert and Will Saunders converting from the free throw line off the back of a technical foul. After a back and forth quarter with both teams going to the line to take free throws, the score finishes 56-60 in favour of the visitors.

Armstrong and Ulph tie things up in the opening minute against the Riders making it 60 a piece. Armstrong looked to take over using his electric speed to get to the rim and convert, in this instance he converted the and one to give the giants a three point lead. Kimbal McKenzie and Will Saunders traded threes both from the top of the key.

This game went down to the wire and was decided with 5.6 seconds left when Tyrik Armstrong kicked it out to Will Saunders at the left elbow who drained the three and saw the giants take the lead 85-83. The rider still had enough time for one last play, Patrick Whelan received the ball off the inbound. Patrick Whelan cut to the basket, layed it up and was denied in the paint by the outstretched hand of Martaveous McKnight, sealing a Giants win.

Leading all scorers tonight was Tyrik Armstrong with 24 points on 10-17 from the field and 3-4 from three. Game winner Will Saunders scored 17 points on 45% from the field and shot 50% from downtown. He also tied Geno Artison for steals with 3.

‍Head Coach Lloyd Gardner Said ''I’m really pleased when you win a close one, emotions are there and you’re happy.I thought we played the the right way, we fought and that again is pleasing whether we came out with a win or a loss today, I was proud of the effort, proud of what we tried to achieve and it feels better because we won a close one''.

‍After another double header of BBL action, the Manchester Giants are back at home once again against the London Lions on March 17th. Tip off is at 7:30pm.