Giants’ women shine on the road with win at Leicester

Giants, led by Charlotte Levitt with 22 points, displayed an all-round team effort with all players contributing to the scoreline with a once again depleted squad.

Coach Jo Richards said: “This was a great opportunity for us to build our confidence on offence, which is something we have lacked in recent games.

“We’ve been extremely unlucky with injuries this season, but the team have stuck together and remain positive moving into next weekend’s game against Northants.”

The team, without influential guards Sarah Taylor and Steph Jones, came into the game looking for their first win of 2015 after a string of defeats threatened to change their fortunes going into the second half of the season.

With Krista Van Alten also missing from the line up due to injury, but with Levitt dominating inside from the first offence, Giants took early control.

It was a slow start to the scoring by both teams, but by the end of the first quarter Giants had a hold on the game, leading 12-3.

The second quarter saw some outstanding defence from both Asimina Stamatiou and Franky Harper, who both converted fast breaks.

It was also during the second quarter that Jade Clemenson found her stride, making some powerful drives to basket as the Giants poured in 18 points in the quarter to lead.

It was in the second half that Riders began to fight back, but once again the experience of the Giants shone through, with both Alison Bridge and Katy Taylor sinking long range shots to keep the team one step ahead.

Giants continued to play to their strengths throughout the game, with 6ft 3ins Chloe Gaynor making some big put-backs to keep the Riders at bay.

However, the game was far from over and, with Riders refusing to give up, Levitt once again dominated the game, knocking down some big shots and finding Jo Richards with some great passing to keep themselves ahead. After a final push from the Riders, Giants held on for a much needed win.

Giants’ points came from Levitt (22), Gaynor (7), Richards (6), Clemenson (6), Harper (4), Bridge (4), Taylor (3), Stamatiou (2).

Giant’s women travel to Northamts Lightning on Saturday (3.30pm).