Manchester Basketball win in Newcastle 78-81 in the Super League Basketball Championship.

MCR were led on the night by Luke Nelson with 13 points and 8 assists and Ciaran Sandy with 14 points and 6 rebounds, as Duke Shelton contributed across the board with a block, 3 steals and 3 assists from the big man.

Manchester made the trip up to Newcastle and took it straight to the Eagles from the first quarter. Newcastle took the lead early, yet MCR matched the pace and claimed a lead of their own with an emphatic dunk by Jonathan Brown, a 1 point lead held and traded between MCR and Newcastle as they traded baskets. The score at the end of the first quarter was Newcastle 22-21 Manchester.

Going into the second quarter, MCR began to establish a footing in the game, finding a lot of success in the paint as by the half the team had more points down low and more rebounds. Kayne Henry's jump shot early in the quarter started MCR's uninterrupted 10 point run, where Manchester gained a 6 point lead which they held on to the end of the quarter, as the score going into halftime was Eagles 38-44 MCR.

Manchester Basketball came back out on the court in the third quarter with the continued momentum going on an early 11-3 run and leading by as much as 14 points. Newcastle wouldn't stay quiet fighting back into the game, with Cameron Christon scoring 10 points in the third alone, and the Eagles were able to close the gap on the lead, ending the quarter 59-65 MCR. Entering the fourth quarter, the Newcastle Eagles kept their strong form as they chipped down into MCR's lead, but Manchester didn't shake, ensuring none of Newcastle's points went unanswered. A tightly fought contest right to the wire, as made free throws by Piggé and Henry, saw the game go Newcastle Eagles 78-81 Manchester Basketball.

MCR will be back in action for a double header at the NBPC Sunday 18th October, at 3pm with tickets live now!