Bristol Academy Flyers 64-76 Worcester Wolves

Saturday 3rd February 2024

By Colin Taylor

Worcester Wolves did enough to hold off a spirited Bristol Academy Flyers 76-64 after a trip down the M5 on Saturday.

Matters looked comfortable with Wolves building a healthy 56-42 third-quarter cushion, but Flyers soared back into the contest with eleven unanswered points before stability was restored for the visitors to emerge successful.

Bristol held a 14-13 edge by the last minute of the opening quarter until Worcester co-captain Jacob Dearman reversed the lead with a quick-fire five points.

Tom Grayling cut to the basket to receive a clever pass from Wilfrid Santhe and Matei Balteanu settled into a pattern of inside scoring that pushed Wolves into their first double-digit advantage at 33-23, four minutes ahead of half-time.

Flyers were next to hit a hot streak and kept the pot boiling with an interval buzzer-beater that left their opponents just 36-33 ahead.

Grayling and Balteanu once more stretched their side’s lead as they both benefited from a series of Santhe assists.

However, again Wolves let a last-second shot succeed when dangerous Bristol guard Matt Gonzalo took aim to put the score-line at 56-45 entering the final period.

A three-point play, another Gonzalo triple and profiting from a turnover saw Worcester wobble with a mere 56-53 gap now standing between the teams with eight minutes remaining on the game-clock.

It was Emmanuel Yeboah who stepped up to steady the ship, twice sinking outside shots and tormenting Flyers on his drives to the basket.

When Dearman produced a defence-freezing pass for Grayling to convert the visiting victory was effectively sealed.  

Balteanu led the scoring with 19 points, supported by 15 apiece from Grayling and Yeboah. Humberto Ferreira pulled down a noteworthy 13 rebounds.

Wolves return to the University of Worcester Arena next Saturday 10 February (7.30pm) to take on Leicester Warriors. Get your tickets for the game online or from the University of Worcester Arena Box Office.