Manchester Basketball saw off Nottingham Wildcats in the clutch to win 75-73 at home.

Maaja Bratka led Manchester with 22 points and 6 rebounds, going 9-12 from the field as she continues to tear up Super League Basketball. She was backed by 21 from Frannie Hottinger, who also grabbed 10 rebounds in a double-double performance.

Hottinger scored the winning baskets for Manchester, knocking down a pair of foul shots with 51 seconds left to make it 75-71. Nottingham had a shot for the win as the buzzer sounded, but Kalaya Buggs’ three-point attempt missed, and the hosts took the victory.

The biggest lead for either side in the last nine minutes was just four points, as these sides duelled it out in a tense affair down the stretch.

Manchester’s run at the end of the third put them in a solid position, as they were up seven points with one quarter to play, but a quick three from Buggs to start the final quarter set the tone for the game’s finale.

The host’s defensive aggression was the key difference between the teams. Manchester stole the ball 14 times from Nottingham, generating a tonne of extra possessions, which proved invaluable. All of Manchester’s starters contributed on that front, stealing the ball multiple times each.

The win improves Manchester’s record onthe season to 5-6 in the SLB Championship.

Next, they play Leicester Riders on the road on Saturday, March 7 at 6pm, before heading home to play London Lions at the National Basketball Performance Centre on March 29, at 6pm.

You can get your tickets here!

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