Saturday 15 November 2014 Surrey United 62-78 Worcester Wolves

Worcester Wolves’ coach Paul James praised his team’s double-winning weekend as they followed up Friday’s home win over Manchester Giants with a 78-62 road success at Surrey United the next night.

“I’m really really pleased that we have picked up four points over the two days. We played hard against Manchester and the players had to compete hard again the very next night at Surrey,” said James.

Last month saw Wolves achieve victory over United in their first British Basketball League encounter of the season. On that occasion Trevor Setty and Kramer Knutson accumulated the majority of Surrey’s points, but on Saturday both players were kept in check. While another import, Kirk Crecco, stepped to the fore with 23 points, a lack of supporting firepower ultimately led to the hosts’ downfall.

“We knew what to expect this time around and we did a great job of chasing Setty and others off the three-point line, and guarding the perimeter,” James explained.

In contrast, Worcester were able to put forward a trio of double-figure scorers. Remi Dibo topped the scoring charts with 21 points, while Alex Owumi and Robert Thurman tallied 17 and 15 points respectively.

United pulled to within a basket at 63-60 with seven minutes to play, but misfiring offence saw them held scoreless for the final five minutes of the match.

Young British point guard Elvisi Dusha opened the evening with a triple, but saw Owumi hit a brace of triples a few moments later. A back-and-forth initial quarter ended with Wolves in front at 26-23.

Knutson hit the first of his mere two overall scores to level the night at 26-26 before Owumi, and then Dibo, rat-a-tatted home a series of three-pointers. Crecco and Dusha were the only Surrey men to reply as the visitors’ lead expanded to 45-37 going into the half-time break.

Ten points was added to the Wolves’ total over the next ten minutes, moving matters to 55-50 entering the last quarter. Ever-improving guard Disraeli Lufadeju joined the long-range scoring party, before consecutive Surrey replies diminished the Worcester lead. However, this was to be the final threat of an upset as United’s offence dried up, while Wolves continued to turn their side of the scoreboard.

Wolves’ next outing will be a visit to Sheffield Sharks on Friday, followed by a return to the University of Worcester Arena on Friday 28 November, to face Bristol Flyers.

Cover Photo
Courtesy of Keith Hunt