Bristol Hurricanes 83-70 Worcester Wolves

Saturday 17th February 2024

By Colin Taylor

Worcester Wolves put up a brave fight before succumbing to an 83-70 defeat on the court of the leaders of National Basketball League Division Two North, Bristol Hurricanes, on Saturday.

Wolves ran up an 18-12 first quarter lead, fell 37-29 behind by half-time, but got back into the contest after the interval until eventually giving way.

Consecutive Emmanuel Yeboah baskets preceded an Isaiah Walker triple that held Bristol to a 12-10 advantage after six minutes of action.

Yeboah converted passes from Jacob Dearman and Zak Riabi for a double of three-pointers that gave Worcester early ascendancy.

Another Walker success from distance, and one from James Harrop, maintained the positivity before Hurricanes suddenly found their own long-range shooting boots to grab control entering the second half.

Bristol drew 45-33 away before a pattern of inside scoring from Matei Balteanu restricted the hosts to a 54-49 third quarter advantage.

With their wily former-BBL big man Daniel Edozie taking up space close to the hoop, Hurricanes extended matters to 68-55 before Walker and Dearman again took aim from beyond the perimeter to keep the pot boiling.

Lively guard Romain Neufville finalised a game-high 24 points to ensure his side’s sixteenth victory of the season against just a single loss.

Balteanu and Yeboah led the visiting scoring with 20 and 19 points respectively.

Eighth-placed Wolves return to the University of Worcester Arena this Friday 23 February (tip off 7.30pm) to face the team a place above them in the table, Myerscough Basketball Academy. Get your tickets for “The Big One” this Friday by clicking here.