Stockport falcons 64-85 manchester swarm
(Q1: 21-15, Q2: 15-25, Q3: 16-20, Q4: 12-25)
TOP SCORERS:
- MANCHESTER SWARM: Louis Weaver (21 Pts); Elgin Govan (18 Pts); Jayden Johnson/Joseph Swindells (15 Pts).
- STOCKPORT FALCONS: Travis (19 Pts); Walton (18 Pts); Proctor (9 Pts).
Manchester Swarm returned to winning ways in NBL Division 3 North West play as they came out on top against a stubborn Stockport Falcons outfit. Having had a bye the previous week, with only a cup outing against Teesside Lions to keep them busy, Manchester were back to regular scheduled programming at Stockport Sport for All Centre.
As has been the way in every contest so far, the guests had a slow start to the game as Stockport took full advantage of their home comforts to start the better of the two. Despite creating a number of presentable openings, Swarm had a hard time making them count, going into the quarter break 6-points in arrears.
True to form, Manchester settled down and found their feet in the second stanza, as they began to assert themselves on their hosts. Improved defence allowed Swarm to push the ball in transition. Antonio Darkwa led an improved rebounding effort to enable his teammates to run the floor. Stockport battled back, but ultimately couldn't keep up with the tempo from their guests, with the long break seeing Swarm ahead by 4.
The third quarter was mostly more of the same for both sides. An error strewn period saw Swarm edge further ahead, using timely shot making and inside play against the Stockport zone to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Scoring was pretty evenly spread out, but a momentum swinging lay-up by young junior Anastasios Okwo helped his side seal off the period in the ascendency.
The fourth quarter had Swarm show their dominance to end the game as a contest. Young pair Louis Weaver and Elgin Govan took over in the period, contributing a combined 16 points as the Manchester outfit climbed back into the win column to wrap up a busy opening month of the season,
Coach Mpofu said: "We have work to do on the practice floor this week. We made too many mental mistakes. Yes, we're well aware at this point that we play for the full 40 minutes and are probably better late in games, but we can't get comfotable with that identity. We're still waiting on that complete tip-to-buzzer performance, and the sooner the better. That being said, this was a result we needed, and it's going to stand us in good stead for what we hope to achieve."
Manchester Swarm next face Manchester Kings next on 5 November at Ellesmere Park High School.
