MANCHESTER Giants scored a key win in their bid the make the British Basketball League play-offs by beating north west rivals Cheshire Phoenix 93-85 on Sunday.

After a fortnight without action, Jeff Jones' side had to wait to bounce back from their 77-70 home loss to Glasgow Rocks.

But they did so in fine fashion at the Lucozade Sportsdome to keep their play-off hopes alive.

Stefan Gill (pictured) scored 23 points and Ingus Bankevics added 20 and eight assists, as Jones’ men knocked off the fourth-placed Nix to move into the eighth spot in the Championship standings.

The visitors from Cheshire started the game brighter and had a 51-43 advantage at half-time.

But the Giants managed to change the situation in the third quarter.

Having won the period 27-11, Manchester turned an eight-point deficit into an eight-point lead entering the fourth quarter.

The Giants continued to build their lead in the final quarter, making it a double-digit game at 82-72 with four minutes remaining.

Although Mike DiNunno had cut the gap to four points with 23 seconds left, it was as close as Phoenix managed to get.

In addition to terrific performances by Gill and Bankevics, David Watts added a solid 14 points and six rebounds.

Callum Jones (14, 7 rebounds), Mike Bernard (10) and Ben Eaves (10) were also in double figures.

Demond Watt had a game-high 31 points and 12 rebounds for Cheshire, Dustin Salisbery added 16 points, while Adrien Sturt chipped in with 12 points and nine boards.

The Giants have a blank weekend ahead and are next in action when they visit London lions a week tonight.

Jones' side then return to their home court to host Glasgow on Sunday, March 15, tip-off 6pm.