Manchester Basketball continued their hot run of form, beating Bristol Flyers 77-86 on the road in the Super League Basketball Championship.

For the second time this week, Max Jones led Manchester’s scoring efforts with 31 points, 4 assists and 3 rebounds. He was once again supported by Pjay Smith, who was the team’s second-highest scorer with 24 points, 7 assists and 5 rebounds.

Manchester dominated the boards thanks to their frontcourt duo of Matt Nicholson and Gabe Osabuohien, who combined for 19 rebounds.

The visitors won the game by battling to the foul stripe throughout the 40 minutes. Jones and Smith combined for 16-20 shooting from the stripe, playing physically to draw whistles consistently.

That allowed Manchester to grind out a fourth quarter surge on the night.  The teams entered the final period locked at 55, before Manchester went on a run down the stretched kicked off by six quick points from Duke Shelton.

Jones picked up from Shelton’s flurry with 9 points in the fourth quarter to find some separation in the scoreline. Then Smith slammed the door shut.

Manchester’s lead was just three points with one minute on the clock thanks to a bucket from Bristol’s Joe Anderson. Smith had an emphatic response, draining a three following a Osabuohien offensive rebound.

He went on to score four more points from the foul line to seal the Manchester win, contributing to his 11 points in the quarter. It was an incredible way to end what has been a phenomenal week or performances from the American guard.

The win brings Manchester’s record to 14-10 on the season, good for third in the Super League Basketball Championship.

They now turn their attention to the momentous SLB Cup Final in Manchester. At the AO Arena, they take on the London Lions on Sunday, March 22, at 4:30 pm.

You can get your tickets here!


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