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Giants 94-75 Scorchers

Giants 94-75 Scorchers

The Manchester Giants bounce back in emphatic fashion as they breeze past the Surrey Scorchers 94-75.

The Giants concluded their first weekend back after the international break with a win over Creon Raftopolous and his Surrey Scorchers, getting out of the groove of a 4 game losing streak dating back to February 6th. A pair of Giant free throws kicked off tonight's proceedings courtesy of Francois Lewis.

The big man also showed off his range by draining a three and giving the Giants an early 5 point lead, the Giants were off to a better start than they were on Friday against Bristol.

Play in the interior was the go to for the opening quarter with most of Manchester’s makes being from inside the three point line as scoring was shared equally throughout the opening quarter, ball movement and off ball screens taking a key emphasis and pivotal in the Giants taking the first quarter 16-14.

Will Saunders catches fire in the early minutes of the second quarter sinking a three from the top of the key followed by a pair of fast-break dunks, both off of steals. The sharpshooting Saunders wasn’t done there as he combined with Jordan Whelan, David Ulph and Jack Hudson to go on a 10-0 scoring run mid quarter.

Will Saunders continued testing his hot hand as he drained his third three of the quarter on 60% from three in the half. to take the Giants up to an 11 point lead. Francois Lewis and Tyrik Armstrong replied to the Scorchers trying to bring the lead back down, keeping it exactly where it is with a tough layup from Lewis and a step back mid range jumper from Armstrong.

Geno Artison got involved in the scoring as he made a tough layup and drained a three of his own. The Giants looked to be a completely different team than Friday as they headed into the locker room with a commanding 51-33 lead.Francois Lewis cut back-door off a Tyrik Armstrong assist to kick off the third quarter. A more physical opening to the third quarter full of tough screens, physical blocks and a fair few shooting fouls committed from both teams.

Martaveous McKnight showed the National basketball performance centre what they had been missing as scoring 9 points in 5 offensive possessions taking his tally to 11 so far for the night as he enters double digit scoring for the first time since his return. The Giants continue to go from strength this quarter firmly in the driver's seat for this game as they go up by 19 after a thunderous dunk from Will Saunders who beats the buzzer with authority.

Saunders and his scoring antics weren’t done there as he picked up where he left off with his 4th three to bring the Giants lead to 22, matching the biggest lead they had this game. Steals have been a key factor in tonight's Giants win as well as the team finished with double digit steals, Jack Hudson and Jamell Anderson leading the way with a pair of steals each.

The Giants continued to extend their lead through the backcourt duo of Tyrik Armstrong and Martaveous McKnight as they combined for just like they did in 2021. The Giants stormed off to a resounding lead of 21 points to finish off tonight's game 5 double digit scorers tonight for Manchester, led by Will Saunders on 20 shortly followed by Martaveous McKnight and Tyrik Armstrong on 14 points each and Francois Lewis who scored 12 on his second night as a starter. Armstrong also led the team in rebounds with 7.

Head Coach Lloyd Gardner said I thought the first half our energy was really good, more positive than we have been in the last couple of games. The offence started to get some rhythm, get some continuity, back to where we were before. That was our mindset being confident, being brave in what we were doing. That was pleasing to see, we were able to build up a lead, second half still some stuff to do, we lost our way a little bit but positive steps just alot still to go.

After tonight's game, the Giants are on the road and up north east to the Vertu Motors Arena to face the Newcastle Eagles. Tip off is on March 11th

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