Final quarter turnaround prevents first Knights win

Manchester Giants produced a stunning final quarter to prevent Birmingham Knights claiming their first win of the season on Saturday night.

With less than eight minutes left in the game, the home side were on the verge of causing a massive upset. However, three fouls in quick succession by the Knights gave Jeff Jones’ Giants an opening which they happily took advantage of and tied the game within the following sixty seconds.

Finding themselves in foul trouble, compounded by the lack of BBL experience within their roster, Birmingham’s efforts looked to be unfurling in front of their eyes as Manchester extended out to a 89-79 victory; their first on the road this campaign.

For the most part of the night it was never to be more than a two possession game, which could be attributed to the smart move by Paul Douglas to rest the influential Brent Benson on Friday night for the Knights.

Prior to tip-off, Jeff Jones had highlighted how his team needed to nullify the guard from the game as best they could; and on paper it certainly seemed to be the case as the American could only achieve 31% from the field on the night compared to his season average of 41%.

Despite a reduced efficency from Benson, Knights were also able to pick up points from beyond the arc thanks to Martyn Gayle (5-from-11).

It was, however, to be decided in the final ten minutes, and although having a nine-point lead with eight minutes to go, Manchester Giants took control and went on a major 19-0 blitz in Solihull to condemn the Knights to a fourteenth defeat in the BBL Championship.