Struggling Giants bring in new American forward

Standing at 6ft 7ins, the 24-year-old American has had successful spells with local side Killamarsh Arrows as well as playing in the Australian Division One.

The club have released fellow American Charles Gamble, who returns back the USA.

The Giants took another major blow on Sunday in their fight for survival as they went down 98-83 at fellow strugglers London United.

New signing Clyburn made a instant impact with some long range efforts, but the young London United team came out on fire taking an early lead. Giants big man Edwin Igbinezaka came out after two minutes with a persistent knee injury not to return to the game. London took the quarter 22 - 12.

Giants guard Dan Richards started to attack the basket well scoring 10 points in the quarter, but the sleeping Giants had no answer for the London attack as they scored a massive 38 points in the second period alone leading 60 - 37 at the half time break.

The Giants now had a mountain to climb if they wanted to win the game.

A change in defensive tactics did the trick as they held London to just 10 points in the quarter closing the gap to just 11 points going into the final period.

But, just as the momentum was starting to swing in the Giants’ favour, star big man Mark Woodhouse left the game with another knee injury and the Londoners went on to win the game 98-83.

Giants’ top scorers: R.B. Clyburn 36, D Richards 19, M Woodhouse 10.

The Giants are back at home this Saturday as they take on the Brixton Topcats. Tip-off is 6.30pm at the Oak Tree Leisure Centre.

Giants’ women continued their good form as they travelled to Sunderland to match up against the City Predators for the first time this season and won 86-50.

Sunderland had forfeited their early fixture due to a lack of players, conceding the game 20-0, so Mansfield were keen to make their mark.

Giants started off well, going 13-4 up early in the first quarter, with guard Katy Taylor finding her range from the three point line and Hollie Shaw sinking back to back jumpshots.

However, after a Sunderland time out, they began to claw back at the deficit and break down the Giants defence to get off some open shots.

However, Giants showed their strong bench with juniors Heather Clarke and Chloe Gaynor both adding big numbers to the score in what was arguably one of their strongest games in National League Women’s so far.

It was then that Charlotte Levitt began to draw the fouls inside to go to the line as they finished the half 45-23 to the good.

The second half once again saw Sunderland break down the Giants’ defence and score some big shots from a distance, but Alison Bridge and Taylor managed to get out on the fast break to keep the baskets pouring in.

Van Alten showed her experience, drawing the contact for Sunderland to get into big foul trouble, eventually seeing two of their players sent-off.

The game finished 86-50 to Giants who will face tougher opposition in Bury Blue Devils at home this Saturday (4pm).