The Manchester Giants headed to the North East and the Vertu Motors Arena to take on the Seriös Group Newcastle Eagles. The home side themselves were returning from the nation’s capital on a back-to-back after losing their opening Trophy fixture to the London Lions the night before.
The Eagles would seemingly have their backs against the wall, after announcing four key injuries to their squad, including Josh Ward-Hibbert, Devin Whitfield, Scott Spencer and Will Neighbour.
The Giants have had their struggles as well this season, mainly with inconsistencies in their League form, but the prospect of a fresh start in the Trophy competition was a great opportunity.
Starting Fives:
Newcastle Eagles: Rickey McGill, Larry Austin Jr, Jordan Johnson, Darius Defoe, Tajh Green.
Manchester Giants: Legend Robertin, William Lee, Jamell Anderson, Mason Bourcier, Nicholas Lewis.
First Half
From the opening tip-off, the Giants looked to take control of the game. The visitors stormed out to a 10-2 lead, behind the scoring and rebounding of William Lee, who notched up 9 points and 4 rebounds.
However, the Eagles, led by Larry Austin Jr and Tajh Green, went on an 11-0 run, surpassing the Giants and taking a 7-point lead into the second quarter.
Both teams raised their intensity in the second, as the game rapidly became a close fought affair. The Giants managed to eradicate the Eagles’ lead with back-to-back three-pointers, one from Lee and another from Evan Walshe.
⚡️ @theface1_ is RAPID and TOUGH! The @NewcastleEagle PG helping set the tone early on @skysports!
📺 WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/aoB0wRe5xm#UNBEATABLE pic.twitter.com/ClenISuovF
— British Basketball League (@britishbasketm) January 5, 2024
The undermanned Eagles battled on however, and managed to maintain a slender lead as the end of the half approached, and when it looked as though they would take a 5-point lead into the interval, Nicholas Lewis added a driving layup.
After a block from Lee, Walshe scored a layup as the buzzer sounded, making it 45-44 at the half.
Second Half
After the interval, both teams exchanged baskets, with either side trying to gain an advantage. It was level pegging until the last four minutes of the quarter, when the Eagles went on a 12-0 run, behind 10 unanswered points by Jordan Johnson.
Tajh Green would also contribute with a big three on the buzzer at the end of the third, maintaining the Eagles’ 12-point advantage as the game headed into the fourth quarter.
🤤 Niiiiice feed by @nlew416 as @McrGiants continue to hunt down the @NewcastleEagle on @SkySports!
📺 WATCH LIVE: https://t.co/aoB0wRe5xm#UNBEATABLE pic.twitter.com/HgMhftdVSY
— British Basketball League (@britishbasketm) January 5, 2024
The Eagles looked at the beginning of the game as though they might struggle with fatigue, having played the night before and suffering from a weakened squad, but by this point, they looked the fresher of the two sides.
They seemed happy to trade baskets with the Giants, who simply couldn’t stop the offensive juggernaut in front of them, including big plays from Delpeche, Austin Jr, Johnson and Green.
With time winding down, it became apparent that Newcastle would not only hold on to their lead but win in style, 92-78.
Player of the Game
Stand-out performances from the Eagles included Jordan Johnson with 30 points and 7 assists, and Tajh Green who finished with 23 points and 7 rebounds. However, it was Larry Austin Jr who impressed most this evening, taking the Player of the Game accolade.
The travelling Giants fans will have enjoyed Lee’s performance, who finished with 23 points and 15 rebounds, but the team’s 21 turnovers proved too much for the visiting Manchester team.
Newcastle Eagles Head Coach Marc Steutel was more than happy with his team’s performance, putting the win down to “…toughness… We got in a hole early and came out of it.
“The effort and intensity improved, I thought Larry Austin sparked that for us, keeping loose balls alive. His energy is contagious. JJ did what JJ does in the second half.
“I think for me 34 points defensively in the second half, on a back-to-back that’s not pleasant for anybody, I’m really proud of my team tonight.”
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