Manchester Giants 86-56 Cardiff Met Archers
Manchester Giants starting five: Lauren Thomas-Johnson, Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus, Georgia Anderson, Myah Pace, Sydney Hunter.
Cardiff Met Archers starting five: Abigail Yunker, Solene Lemoigne, Mandi Kawaha, Jenna Hoschouer, Haylee Saurette.
In a thrilling matchup, the Manchester Giants claimed their much-anticipated first victory of the 2023/24 season with an emphatic 86-56 triumph over the Cardiff Met Archers. The game was highlighted by exceptional performances from both sides, but it was the Giants who ultimately reigned supreme.
In an outstanding debut, the Giants’ recent addition, forward Sydney Hunter, immediately made her presence felt on the court. Hunter displayed her skills with an impressive double-double, contributing 11 points and a remarkable 14 rebounds.
Leading all scorers for the Giants was the ever-talented Myah Pace, who displayed her offensive marksmanship by dropping 18 points. Pace was efficient, connecting on 6 of 10 shots from inside the arc, proving to be a formidable force for the Giants, while also handing out three assists.
The Archers, however, weren’t to be outdone. Mandi Kawaha and Haylee Saurette formed a dynamic duo for Cardiff Met, combining for 34 points, with each player contributing 17 points to their team’s effort.
The game began with Abigail Yunker opening up the scoring for the Archers, causing early problems for the Giants’ defence with two well-executed plays from inside.
However, Manchester was quick to respond, finding the bulk of their points from beyond the perimeter. Players like Lauren Thomas-Johnson, Georgia Anderson, and Idil Turk connected from deep, helping the Giants secure a 26-16 lead by the end of the first quarter.
Saurette mirrored Manchester’s impressive first-quarter shooting display with two consecutive long-range shots, narrowing the gap to single digits.
But the Giants regained control as Brooklynn McAlear-Fanus dominated the defensive boards and found her scoring touch, extending Manchester’s lead to nine points.
With Hunter dominating the paint and Pace providing scoring opportunities from outside, the Giants continued to expand their lead. A Turk three-pointer made it a 20-point cushion for the Giants as they headed into halftime with a commanding 54-34 lead.
The third quarter saw the Giants continue to build on their lead with a blistering 8-4 run, thanks in part to Pace’s exceptional playmaking, creating opportunities for players like Thomas-Johnson to capitalize.
The Archers, on the other hand, relied on free-throw points to stay in the game, forcing the Giants to be more cautious on the defensive end.
Leah McDerment, in her season debut for the Giants, displayed her sharpshooting skills, sinking a deep shot with ease, further solidifying Manchester’s lead. By the end of the third quarter, the Giants held a comfortable 71-48 advantage.
The Giants maintained their dominance in the closing quarter, playing stifling defence and forcing the Archers into difficult shots while securing defensive rebounds
Although Kawaha found some openings and managed to contribute some consolation points for Cardiff Met, the Giants prevailed convincingly.
Kizzy Spence put the finishing touches on an eye-catching performance by the Giants, scoring the team’s final four points of the game.
The contest concluded with an impressive final score of 86-56, marking a memorable first victory for the Manchester Giants in the 2023/24 season.
Player of the Game:
Myah Pace delivered another stellar performance, notching a season-high 18 points, solidifying her status as the standout player of the game. Her all-around contributions were a driving force behind the team’s success. Through three games, Pace has impressive averages of 15.7 points, 5.7 rebounds, and 2 assists per game.
| Team | Name | Points | Rebounds | Assists |
| Manchester Giants | Myah Pace | 18 | 5 | 3 |
| Manchester Giants | Lauren Thomas-Johnson | 13 | 7 | 4 |
| Cardiff Met Archers | Haylee Saurette | 17 | 11 | 1 |
| Cardiff Met Archers | Mandi Kawaha | 17 | 2 | 3 |
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