Sunday 24 January 2016 Surrey Scorchers 88-96 Worcester Wolves

Worcester Wolves made sure they followed up Friday’s terrific takedown of the league-leading Newcastle Eagles by triumphing at Surrey Scorchers on Sunday.

But it needed a last-gasp shot from Wolves’ Orlan Jackman for the winning run to continue.

With just thirteen seconds remaining and his side trailing at 78-81, Coach Paul James called for a timeout to try to salvage the afternoon.

James described what happened after that: “We drew up a set-play which began with Ashton Khan taking the ball up court.

“He passed it over to Jay (Couisnard) who took a long three. Unfortunately it clanged off the front of the rim, but then Orlan (Jackman) was in the thick of it to grab the rebound and step back outside the three-point line and make the shot, despite a hand in his face.”

During the resultant five added minutes of overtime, Wolves pulled away from their deflated opponents for the eventual 96-88 success.

Just three weeks ago Worcester came away from the same venue with a 91-66 trouncing of their hosts. Since then Surrey have seen several players released from their roster, with former Great Britain under-20 forward Allie Fullah and import Timothy ‘TJ’ Johnson the new faces brought in to stabilise the team.

It was Johnson’s fellow American Nick Schlitzer who tallied Scorchers’ initial five points, while Wolves stayed scoreless. However, picking up where they left off against Newcastle, the visitors proceeded to rattle in an impressive 28 points over the remainder of the opening quarter, while shackling Surrey to just ten further points in reply.

By half-time, though still in control, Wolves’ advantage had lessened to 44-37.

The Surrey fightback continued after the break. A double of three-pointers for Johnson helped his side close the deficit further to 64-62 entering the fourth quarter.

By three minutes remaining in regulation time, Scorchers had taken the lead at 75-73 after a slice to the hoop by their captain Tayo Ogedengbe. In the final minute a confident drive along the baseline from Johnson took matters to 81-78, ahead of Jackman’s face-saving shot for Wolves.

James gave his view on why his side had faltered, saying: “Early on we carried on with how we played versus Newcastle, tough on defence and confident on offense.

“But, instead of turning the screw, we then took our foot off the gas. Their confidence grew and we made some silly mistakes.”

“Orlan was pivotal at the end of the fourth and again made his mark in overtime,” added James.

Perris Blackwell demonstrated his ability to come back strongly from his recent injury by putting up a tally of 18 points and 11 rebounds. Pavol Losonsky was next-highest scorer with 17 points, followed closely by Jay Couisnard and Javier Mugica with 16 points apiece. Johnson and Fullah led the way for Scorchers with 16 and 15 points respectively.

Next weekend sees Wolves travel to Leeds Force on Friday, followed by their BBL Trophy quarter-final against Glasgow Rocks on Sunday evening, (tip off 6.30pm), at the University of Worcester Arena.

James is keen for his players to be in the right frame of mind, declaring: “We are going to have a hard week of training. Like Surrey, Leeds are another side who can battle and, of course, we must beat Glasgow if we want to stay in the Trophy.

“It will depend on which team turns up – the one that just beat Newcastle or the one that often turns up against everyone else.”