Worcester Wolves 78-103 Cardiff Met Archers

Saturday 2nd November 2024

By Colin Taylor

An outgunned Worcester Wolves fell to a 78-103 defeat against sharpshooting Cardiff Archers at the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday.

A manageable 37-47 half-time deficit descended into an irretrievable 50-77 margin entering the last quarter of the match as Wolves struggled to hit the target.

Worcester were forced to take cover from a barrage of three-pointers as soon as the evening began, with Cardiff’s Dan Flaherty showing unstoppable form.

The American guard sank his team’s fifth triple as the first quarter buzzer sounded, establishing a healthy 21-12 advantage for the visitors.

Zac Moody repaid his promotion to the starting line-up by leading Wolves’ response with thirteen pre-interval points.

The second period saw club captain Jacob Dearman work hard to aid a late 5-0 flurry that served to keep matters competitive.

But the host’s brief revival disappeared following the break as time and again Flaherty was allowed to skip unhindered to the basket.

It would take until the last minute of the third period before any Worcester player other than Akil Simpson was able to impact the scoreboard.

With any hope of a home win now out of sight a free-flowing final ten minutes saw an outburst of scoring from forward Emmanuel Yeboah.

By game’s end Yeboah had totalled 28 points, with Dearman and Simpson notching 18 and 16 points respectively.

Flaherty meanwhile dominated all scorers with 42 points.

“It was a very difficult night,” admitted coach Dean Blake. “We weren’t connected, particularly on the defensive end, and there were too many lapses of concentration.

“Half-time came at the right time for Cardiff as we had started to build a little momentum but unfortunately as we came back out for the second half the players just weren’t up for it.”

Wolves return to University of Worcester Arena next Saturday 09 November (7.30pm) for a matchup against Liverpool. Purchase you Super Saturday Tickets here.