Donte Gittens registered 16 points on his first start for Manchester Magic as they ended their pre-season campaign with a battling 82-92 home defeat to BBL side Cheshire Phoenix.

The 23-year-old American, who only arrived in England on Sunday morning, gelled well with his new team-mates, showing glimpses of the talents – in particular, his speed and athleticism – that are sure to excite fans over the next eight months.

The Magic, who open their season on Saturday with a National Trophy pool game at Lancashire Spinners at Castle Leisure Centre at 5:45pm, kept pace with the Phoenix for the most of the contest before the visitors took control in the final quarter.

Ryan Lewis had a productive game for the Magic, finishing with 16 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists. Stefan Gill top-scored for the home side with 17 points, adding a very useful 8 assists.

Orlan Jackman and Malcolm Riley both ended the game with 19 points for the Phoenix, with former Newcastle Eagles star Jackman adding 10 rebounds and 5 assists.

The Magic finished with two wins and two defeats from pre-season, beating USA Select (58-55) and Boroughmuir Blaze (79-58) before hard-fought losses to BBL outfits the Sheffield Sharks (64-76) and the Phoenix.

HIGHLIGHTS | Check out some of the exciting plays from Magic’s final pre-season outing against Cheshire Phoenix #ManchesterBasketball pic.twitter.com/JKIhGMDjcX — Manchester Magic (@Mcr_Magic) September 20, 2017