BBL Game Report: Worcester Wolves 73 Leicester Riders 61
Worcester Wolves sent reigning champions Leicester Riders into a final quarter spin in their opening home game of the BBL Championship in front of a sold out crowd at the new University of Worcester Arena.
Both sides came into this match-up with comfortable victories from the opening weekend of the season.
Leicester Riders and Great British captain, Drew Sullivan, opened the points scoring with an emphatic alley-oop with Leicester’s first possession.
The Wolves went on to stretch the game 11-2 in their favour. Summer signing Zaire Taylor, a previous Riders player himself who turned down the offer of rejoin the treble winners opted for Worcester, made his presence known by staring at the travelling Leicester fans after scoring a long two point shot, extending Wolves’ lead to 18-13.
With the second quarter seeing Leicester’s Drew Sullivan bring his team within one, 24-23, and Jay Couisnard hitting crucial three-pointers, James called a necessary time-out following his team loss of lead. With the half drawing to an end, Wolves’ Disraeli Lufadeju scored a near impossible three-pointer, banking the ball of the backboard with seconds remaining.
Jamal Williams opened up the scoring for the second half, leveling the game 34-34. Caylin Raftopoulos and Will Creekmore sunk back-to-back threes to see the Wolves edge in front 44-39. The Wolves moved further in front following some fast paced action, taking the scoring to 51-45. Creekmore got called up for a technical foul seeing Riders scoring one out the two free-throws. With the Wolves turning the ball over, Connor Washington made it count from beyond the arc, bringing the Riders closer, 51-49.
Mid-way through the fourth quarter and the time score was still very close at 59-55. With some strong defense, fast paced offence and five consecutive points from Taylor, the Wolves saw a gap of seven, 64-57. Taylor once again was able to cut through the Riders’ offense scoring a lay-up, closely followed by a score from Alex Owumi. With the scoreboard showing 68-57, and with seconds to go Stefan Djukic put away a two-handed dunk right before Williams blocked an attempt from Washington.
Wolves Head Coach Paul James was pleased with this victory saying: “I’m thrilled with how we performed, especially defensively, holding back last year’s champions. I could see the staff at the arena were pulling out extra seating just before the tip off, and the fans created a fantastic atmosphere. The way everything turned out was a fitting start for the Wolves in a great new venue.”
Taylor was top scorer with 22 points. Creekmore got a double-double with 11 points and 11 rebounds. The Riders’ Hassan scored 17 and Sullivan scored 10.
Next up
Worcester Wolves away to London Lions on Thursday, October 10th, 7:30pm tip-off
Leicester Riders at home to Sheffield Sharks on Saturday, October 5th, 7:30pm tip-off
