Glasgow Rocks 81-72 Worcester Wolves

Worcester Wolves bowed out of the BBL Trophy after falling to a 72-81 defeat at Glasgow Rocks on Friday.

A lively encounter saw Wolves holding a slender 64-63 edge with six minutes remaining before Deshawn Freeman was whistled for his fifth foul, curtailing his involvement. Without their leading scorer the visitors’ attacks now faltered, allowing Glasgow to ease into the quarter-finals.

Internationals featured as the game began. Scottish representatives Kieron Achara and Ali Fraser tallied Rocks’ initial eight points while their England counterpart Adam Thoseby replied with a trio of scores.

A Lester Prosper hook shot put Worcester 13-9 ahead, prompting a Glasgow timeout. The break in play helped the hosts push back for a 27-22 first-quarter lead.

Freeman was in the thick of it throughout the first-half. As well as keeping the scoreboard ticking he leapt high to reject a Glasgow attempt and supplied a behind-the-back pass for Miki Servera to convert.

Darell Combs debuted on the scoresheet by bookending the half-time interval with three-pointers to nudge Wolves 41-40 in front.

Prosper was re-introduced to the action and made an immediate impression as successive baskets gave his side their biggest advantage at 55-49.

Entering the final ten minutes of the evening Worcester trailed by just a point at 59-60. A mesmerising hand-off from Freeman to Filip Kramer and a double of Jordan Whelan free-throws had Wolves clinging to the lead before Freeman’s departure.

The guests’ offence now stagnated. Rocks’ Lithuanian forward Tadas Rinkunas sank consecutive triples to break open the contest. A handy 71-64 cushion only became comfier as Worcester now struggled to stay in contention.

Only Freeman and Servera were able to break into double-figure scoring with 15 and 12 points respectively.

Wolves will return to league action next Friday 28 December (7.30) when BBL newcomers the London City Royals visit the University of Worcester Arena. Tickets are available here.

Image credit Keith Hunt.