Tigers Tamed As Giants Snap Losing Streak

Starting Fives

Manchester Giants: Bailey, Aliu, Watts, J. Jones, Williams
Mersey Tigers: McGinn, Hulsen, Forsythe, Etilopy, Eboigbe

Manchester Giants snapped their four game losing streak by trouncing Mersey Tigers by 51 points.

The Giants had five players score in double figures and led from the start as they topped the 100-point mark for the first time this season. This was just the kind of fixture they need after a disappointing run of games where they have been forced to play catch-up after slow starts.

They made no such mistake this time as David Watts scored eight early on to set them on their way as they took an 8-3 lead two minutes into the contest. Watts was matched up against the Tigers’ Kieran Forsythe and he made the most of his six inch height advantage; shooting over the smaller defender at every opportunity.

Mersey struggled to look after the ball on the night as they turned the ball over 25 times leading to 37 points for the Giants. The visitors committed five turnovers in the first 4:30 as the home-side opened up a double digit following Callum Jones’ layup off a nice bounce pass from Stefan Gill.

Tigers shooting guard Gael Hulsen got off to a bright start; making three of his first four attempts from the field for eight points in the opening period. He only attempted four shots the rest of the game misfiring on all of them to finish with nine points in the contest.

Despite struggling to look after the ball, the visitors scored the final four points of the period and only trailed by nine heading into the second quarter.

However they were unable to build on their early platform and their cold shooting continued in the second period. The Tigers only made three of their 16 attempts from the field while the Giants just kept on rolling. They increased their lead to 21 points with 3:36 left in the half as Callum Jones scored a layup off another great feed from Gill. It was mixed night for Stefan as he struggled with his shooting stroke but helped the side in other ways as he finished with five assists and five rebounds.

David Aliu had a solid outing against his former team as he scored 12 of his game high 19 points in the first half to lead the Giants in scoring for the third straight game. He scored four points from the free-throw line and James Jones added a 3-pointer and a layup as the hosts finished the half with a 9-2 run to take a dominating 56-31 lead at the interval.

The home side had the opportunity to extend their lead in the third but struggled to convert their free-throws; missing four of their five attempts in the period. Both teams shot poorly from the line throughout the game with the Giants shooting 38% and the Tigers only faring slightly better at 40%.

The visitors opened the fourth quarter with a dunk by Daniel Pilkington just seven seconds in but they missed their next eight shots from the field. They also committed six turnovers as they were held scoreless over the next nine minutes while the Giants scored an incredible 27 points without reply.

Jack Minister came off the bench for the hosts to score nine of his season high 14 points in the period as the home-side increased their lead to 50. All 11 Giants players that saw court-time made it onto the scoreboard as they racked up their largest win of the season. Devan Bailey was a perfect five-for-five from the field as he had 12 points, two assists and a steal in just 17 minutes of action. An offensive rebound and put-back layup by Adam Slater saw the Giants reach the 100 point mark with 1:16 left to play and centre Morakinyo Williams sealed the rout with a spin-move and layup.

The win sees the Giants move to sixth in the BBL standings with a 3-3 record. Their next game sees them face the third place Plymouth Raiders who are yet to lose this season and defeated the Cheshire Jets 100-84 on Friday.

Play of the Game
Adam Slater’s offensive rebound and put-back layup put the Giants over the 100 point mark and meant that all 11 players had registered at least a point. It summed up the dominance of the home-side from start to finish as they truly exposed the visitors lack of depth.

Game MVP
It was a close call between Giants forwards Aliu and Watts as both logged very similar stat lines but Watts just edged it as he only finished with one turnover whereas Aliu had three. The two Giants forwards made seven of their eight attempts from behind the arc and pulled down six rebounds each. Watts also threw in block for good measure.

He drained four of his five attempts from downtown on his way to 18 points and pulled down six rebounds. His long strides allow him to get out on the break so quickly that he’s always a threat to throw down a highlight worthy dunk in transition. On nights like this he’s a handful for any defender in the league.

Top Scorers
Manchester Giants – David Aliu 19, David Watts 18, James Jones 17
Mersey Tigers – Rudy Etilopy 11, Gael Hulsen 9, Osemwegie Semi Eboigbe 8

Next Up
Manchester Giants – UCP Marjon Plymouth Raiders, Friday 2nd November, 19:30, Wright Robinson Sports College

Mersey Tigers – Worcester Wolves, Friday 26th October, 19:30, Knowsley Leisure & Culture Park