Manchester Giants moved into a familiar lead in the Northern Conference after a second victory of the season, seeing off Derby Storm 66-69 at the Thunderdome on Friday night. 

Derby shot abysmally in the first quarter and trailed 6-20 but gradually drifted back into contention, trimming the gap to ten at the interval and then moving with one point at 41-42 when LJ Johnson netted six in an 11-0 Storm tear.

With neither side seizing control, Derby led at 62-61 in the closing minutes but Giants guard Brian Earl netted the last two of his team-best 20 points from the foul line with 3 seconds left to seal the win for Andre Alleyne's team. 

Johnson also ended on 20 for the 0-2 Storm.