Worcester Wolves 91-97 Surrey Heat

Worcester Wolves’ unbeaten run at the University of Worcester that stretched all the way back to last September was finally ended on Friday by Surrey Heat.

In a pulsating contest, Worcester looked to have sealed victory before ex-Wolves forward Sam Cricelli nailed a long-range basket as time expired to force overtime. A clearly-dispirited home side were unable to prevent Surrey from going on to claim a 91-97 success.

With Sherrad Prezzie-Blue nursing a knee-injury from the sidelines, it was left to Carlos Fernandez to take over point guard duties. He responded in fine style, contributing five early points in a 15-6 run that prompted a Heat time-out after the first four minutes had elapsed. Another player off to a fast start was Cricelli who had made his third score before Fernandez quickly responded.

In the last minute of the opening quarter a three-pointer from Fernandez was followed by a long pass across court for a Kai Williams dunk to take matters to 23-13. With just five seconds to go in the period, Wolves centre Arturas Masiulis picked up his second foul of the evening when hacking at ex-Great Britain international Julius Joseph. Joseph made both free throws and then an errant inbound pass from Masiulis was intercepted and smartly converted by Cricelli.
By three minutes into the second period Surrey had drawn level at 27-27 after two made free throws from their bustling centre Frank Holmes. A moment later Holmes sank a triple that gave his team their first lead in the contest. Worcester guard Alex Owumi hit all of his team’s next eleven points to see the evening once more poised at 38-38 with a couple of minutes of the first half remaining.

However the last seven points of the half were grabbed by the visitors and that momentum was carried over following the interval. Consecutive turnovers meant Wolves trailed 43-53 by four minutes into the third quarter and saw coach Paul James call a halt to proceedings. While Owumi was able to contribute a further ten points in the period, no other home player was able to make a significant scoring impact.
Behind 61-66 entering the fourth quarter, a score, a steal and two converted foul shots by Fernandez topped off an 8-3 run for the hosts to once more tie the game at 69-69. A mesmerising between-the-legs pass from Owumi to power forward Stan Ocitti momentarily froze the Heat defenders and left Ocitti open to sink a three-pointer for Wolves to take the lead.

Throughout the match Worcester’s Arnas Kazlauskas had battled with Surrey’s Holmes to establish position and this boiled over in the closing minutes. After tit-for-tat jostling, both players were asked by the referees to calm themselves but Holmes went too far when appearing to elbow Kazlauskas under the chin. An outraged Wolves crowd howled in delight when Holmes was ordered to the bench and then furiously hurled his red headband to the floor. The resultant foul shots helped Wolves to a 76-71 lead with four minutes to go and caused Surrey coach Creon Raftopoulos to request a time-out.

Heat’s backcourt pairing of Martelle McLemore and Chavis Holmes tallied the next five points and brought the sides level. Neither side could again pull clear as time ticked down. At under a minute to go Holmes missed a shot and Cricelli fouled Williams to stop the clock. Two converted free throws meant Wolves led 83-80. At just two and a half seconds to go the Heat had the ball at the sideline. The ball was inbounded to Cricelli who let fly with a desperate heave from distance. As the full-time hooter sounded the ball banked in off the backboard and left Worcester players and their supporters stunned.

The five minutes of overtime began with a 7-0 run for the Heat, including further scoring from McLemore and Holmes. An already-deflated Wolves side were unable to slow their visitors’ momentum as the Heat confidently bounced to victory.
Paul James was bitterly disappointed at how the game ended, saying: “We were comfortable in the first quarter, but went downhill after that. At three points up and with seconds to go we should have fouled them, but we weren’t smart enough to do so. After Surrey made their shot it totally took it out of us and the momentum was then with them in overtime.”
However James was keen to thank all the fans at the University for their support, adding: “It was our first home game of the new year and our first on a Friday. It was a fantastic crowd. People will have enjoyed it and with it going to overtime certainly got their money’s worth.”

Looking ahead to Wolves next game, at Manchester Giants, James talked about what will be needed, saying: “We will have to re-group in training and get everyone prepared. Although Carlos did a great job standing in at the point-guard position, we will benefit if Prezzie is fit and back to control the show.”
Owumi dominated the Wolves scoring with 30 points, including five three-pointers. Fernandez and Williams were next-highest scorers with 18 points and 17 points respectively. Cricelli marked his return to Worcester by leading the Heat with 22 points.

It will be three weeks before Wolves return to the University of Worcester, to face Mersey Tigers on Friday 15 February. Before then they will have consecutive Friday road trips, at Manchester Giants and Newcastle Eagles.