Friday 15 April 2016 Worcester Wolves 92-99 Cheshire Phoenix

Worcester Wolves slipped to a 92-99 defeat versus Cheshire Phoenix on Friday, meaning they end their latest British Basketball League campaign in fourth place.

Wolves round out their regular-season fixtures with a trip to fifth-placed Glasgow Rocks on Sunday, swiftly followed next week by a two-legged encounter against that same side in the first round of the playoffs.

Buoyed by another capacity crowd at the University of Worcester Arena, Wolves raced into an early double-digit lead, before faltering against a team inspired by a highly-impressive 38 point and 15 rebound performance from their do-it-all forward Danny Huffor.

Perris Blackwell toiled for his own double-double stat-line of 28 points and 11 rebounds, while point guard Jordan Aaron managed 23 points.

Aaron and Blackwell exchanged passes for the initial score of the evening. A confident three-pointer was the first of five opening-quarter baskets from Aaron that built a healthy 23-13 lead with a minute remaining.

Two quick replies and a buzzer-beating score for Quincy Taylor reduced the arrears to 23-19. By three minutes into the second period seven points from Huffor had given his team the lead at 28-29. Cheshire still held the advantage at 45-48 by half-time.

Aaron recovered his own miss and a prone Blackwell was able to pass the ball over his head for a Jay Couisnard triple to keep Worcester in the hunt at 58-61. But Huffor maintained his form. A spell of nine personal points in two minutes left the visitors 70-75 in front entering the final quarter.

Blackwell would continue to work tirelessly close to the hoop for a series of scores. However this was be Wolves’ only method of success. Repeated shot attempts from outside the arc went badly astray for the hosts, while Phoenix continued to keep their side of the scoreboard ticking.

By four minutes to go Cheshire’s lead had maximised at 77-88, with Wolves unable to find a way back into contention.

Coach Paul James was left disappointed, saying: “We began well. I made one or two substitutions and we seemed to lose our way. Our shots wouldn’t drop, while they made theirs.”

After this Sunday, Wolves will travel again to Glasgow next Friday. The deciding second leg of the playoff will take place at the University of Worcester Arena on Sunday 24 April (tip off 4pm).

“We obviously wanted a better result today, so now need to work on a few things for Sunday and then get ready for next week,“ added James.

Photo credit: Razorlight Imagery