Newcastle Eagles 79-95 Worcester Wolves

Friday 06 March 2020

Worcester Wolves have claimed sole possession of third place in the British Basketball League after travelling to Tyneside to thump Newcastle Eagles on Friday.

Wolves moved ahead of their hosts five minutes into the evening, had established a double-digit lead by early in the second-quarter and maintained control to coast to a 95-79 success.

Six Worcester men enjoyed double-figure scoring. Jordan Williams led the way with 19 points, closely followed by 17 from Kofi Josephs.

Mark Hughes posted 14 points while Maarten Bouwknecht, Amir Williams and Julius Van Sauers produced a 12,11,10-point countdown. Cortez Edwards rounded out a polished team performance by contributing nine points to go with his 11 rebounds.

Edwards had the ball stolen from his hands on the very first play of the day but this would be one of just five turnovers from his side over the remainder of the first-half.

Hughes drove forwards to edge Wolves 10-9 ahead. Van Sauers announced his arrival on court with a swift six points, aiding a 25-17 first-quarter lead.

Jordan Williams was in unstoppable form as he overpowered defenders close to the basket as well as stepping outside for a triple.

Josephs hit a purple patch as half-time approached, taking a double of scores and then picking the pocket of Eagles’ point-guard Rodney Glasgow to set up a late basket for Hughes.

Amir Williams put Worcester 55-37 to the good as the second-half began before a flutter of resistance briefly brought Newcastle within sight at 56-46.

But Bouwknecht was next man up to extinguish the fightback, sinking a fade away shot and drilling five free-throws to re-establish daylight at 69-50 with four minutes left in the third period.

With no let-up in the visitors’ dominance coach Matt Newby took the luxury of emptying his bench in the final quarter. Daniel Johnson-Thompson eagerly grabbed a couple of rebounds and Nathan Ramsdale-Owen attracted a clutch of high-fives when draining a three-pointer to finalise the clear-cut victory.

Wolves continue their northern travels with a trip over the border to second-placed Glasgow Rocks this Sunday 8 March (5.00), before returning to the University of Worcester Arena the following Friday 13 March to greet Sheffield Sharks.