Manchester Giants 102 Plymouth Raiders 77

HOTSHOTS Ingus Bankevics and Stefan Gill led Manchester Giants to a big 102-77 win over the visiting Plymouth Raiders at the Trafford Sportsdome.

The two guards scored 20 and 18 respectively, with Gill chipping in with seven assists and seven rebounds.

It leaves the Giants flying high in fourth place in the BBL with a record of five wins and three losses following their best start to a season since their return to the league in 2012.

It was a team effort that gave the Giants what coach Jeff Jones called ‘our best performance of the season’.

"It was a great effort," said Jones. "We lacked concentration for about six minutes in the third period but for the rest of the time we were really good.

"I'm really pleased with the players."

The Giants made a hot start, taking the first quarter 31-15 and leading 49-34 at the half.

They were 73-55 up after three quarters and stretched their lead in the final period.

Five players were in double figures – Bankevics and Gill, plus Ben Eaves (13 and 10 rebounds), Callum Jones (12) and David Watts (12) – with Mike Bernard and Darren Best grabbing 9 apiece and Connor Murtagh hitting 7.

The Giants travel to Worcester Wolves on Friday (7.30pm).