BBL Game Report: Surrey United 60 Worcester Wolves 117

Surrey United 60 (14, 26. 43) Worcester Wolves 117 (32, 61, 93)

The BBL new boys got their season off to the worst possible start at the Surrey Sports Park on Saturday evening, when they were comprehensively beaten by the Worcester Wolves – to quote the popular Essex reality show, the only way is up.

The game was similar to that of last season’s opener between Surrey Heat and Mersey Tigers – where the Mersey Tigers were beaten by 61 points

With only their recent pre-season game to measure their ability to compete with other BBL teams, fans were anticipating what their new team could offer. In their first official outing, the team appeared to have improved on their recent form.

The Wolves jumped out to an early 6-0 lead. However, after a foul by Sebastian Ferenc, Joel Henry hit a 3 and this seemed to settle the team. Some back and forth play – including a 3 from Tamayo, drive by Dusha and unfortunately two quick fouls for Ferenc – the scores were soon level 12-12.

Caylin Raftopoulos saw his first minutes with his new club, and his first minutes back at the Surrey Sports Park from off the bench. United began to rotate their bench, getting Korry Callum and Ralph Pemberton into the game.

Despite the effort to change the tempo of the game through substitutions, the Worcester Wolves closed the quarter on a 20-2 run, finishing 32-14.

Sijanas set to work in the post early on for United in the second quarter, drawing the foul but only being able to make 1 of 2 from the line. Another foul on Ferenc limited his time for the rest of the quarter after such a strong showing in pre-season.

A defensive lapse, where Worcester couldn’t manage their two free throws, saw the Wolves fight to retain possession and draw a second foul – this time converting them both. It was soon 40-18 to the Wolves, and for the rest of the quarter they continued to push their lead out slowly taking the score to a 30 point margin at 50-20.

Worcester closed on an 11-6 run, 61-26 at the break.

Half-time was a period for Surrey to come together, regroup and close the gap built up by Worcester. After back to back points from Korry Callum it seemed that United had done just that. Their cause was damaged though when Sebastian Ferenc, limited with 3 fouls already, picked up another and took a seat again. Worcester didn’t hold back and pushed in the form of Will Creekmore, who had amassed a stunning 27 points through 3 quarters, their lead out to 74-35. Over the closing minutes, United could only manage 8 points whilst Worcester mounted 19.

If fans thought that the fourth quarter would be any different, they had another thing coming. In 3 minutes, only Ignas Sijanas could get going for Surrey whilst the Wolves, on the other hand, were biting at every possession, racking a neat run of 19-5. Surrey did at least manage to reduce the deficit to 57 through a last gasp 12-5 run – in which Dusha, Sijanas, Ferenc and Callum scored. Wesley Bezuidenhout also added to the score line.

Unfortunately for Surrey, for the most part of the game, Worcester had an answer – plus more – for each of their runs. After Surrey levelled the score at 12-12 then Worcester ran away. Surrey would score 2 points, Worcester score 10.

United were led by Ignas Sijanas who was consistent throughout the game with 18 points netting both from inside, and outside the arc. Elvisi Dusha had 9, Andy Tamayo 9, and Sebastian Ferenc and Wesley Bezuidenhout, both 5.

Creekmore led the scorers with 34 with Zaire Taylor not far behind with an equally impressive 29 points.

Despite the final score line, Surrey are still awaiting on American duo Kevin Fleming, and George Williams. The added experience, will surely help the young squad, and a big body too in the form of Fleming – something that was sorely missed when Ferenc sat.

Surrey United are next in action on Sunday 6th October up in Glasgow. They return home on Sunday 13th October against the Wildcats – get your tickets at www.surreyunited.co.uk.