McGusty's 21 lead Lions' second-half surge to SLB Cup crown as Manchester finale marred by altercation

London Lions captured the SLB Men's Cup with an 83-74 victory over Manchester Basketball at the AO Arena on Sunday, producing a dominant second-half turnaround to claim their second piece of silverware this season but the contest ended in ugly scenes as both benches cleared with 7.8 seconds remaining.
Kameron McGusty (197-SG-1997, college: Miami, FL) was named Cup Final MVP after leading the Lions with 21 points, delivering key baskets down the stretch that broke Manchester's resistance. Joel Scott (201-PF-2001, college: Colorado St., agency: Pensack Sports) recorded a commanding 15 points and 12 rebounds, while Chaundee Brown Jr. (195-G-1998, college: Michigan) and Tarik Phillip (191-G-1993, college: WVU) each added 12 and Deane Williams (203-PF-1996, college: Augusta) contributed 11.
Manchester controlled the first half, disrupting London's offensive rhythm with defensive intensity to take a 40-32 halftime lead. But the Lions flipped the game after the break through suffocating defense and physicality. Head coach Tautvydas Sabonis' squad outscored Manchester 51-34 across the final 20 minutes, turning an eight-point deficit into a nine-point victory.
"They understood that without doing what we do every day, without playing with the defence that we do, we are not a good team," Sabonis said afterward.
The closing seconds were marred by an altercation stemming from tensions between the two sides. McGusty exchanged words with the Manchester bench in response to an incident from a previous meeting, Max Jones (193-G-2002, college: Kansas St.) intervened, and both benches briefly cleared. Players from both teams were ejected. Manchester did not return to the court for the post-game medal presentations.
The Cup title won on Manchester's home turf was the Lions' second trophy of 2025-26 after the SLB Trophy won in February at Utilita Arena Birmingham. It would prove to be the start of a historic quadruple sweep.