Esh Group Eagles Newcastle head into 2017 as the BBL Championship leaders after holding their nerve to edge out Manchester Giants in a 74-78 success.

Deondre Parks top scored with 23 points with Scott Martin and Rahmon Fletcher both adding 16 points apiece as the Eagles improved to 14-2.

Manchester trailed by as many as 16 points but rallied and tied the game at 74 with two minutes to go.

Martin scored the go-ahead basket in the final minute before Fletcher secured the victory from the free throw line.

The Eagles had made a strong start with a 15-2 opening to set the tone and maintained a double-digit lead going into half-time.

The advantage peaked at 16 points at 30-46 in the third before an impressive 23-7 spell saw Manchester level the game. However, Newcastle edged back ahead by four at the end of the quarter.

Jerelle Okoro netted twice from downtown to keep the Giants in contention and they had the chance to take the lead before ultimately falling short at the death.