Manchester Magic 62-59 Worcester Wolves

Saturday 30th November 2024

By Colin Taylor

Worcester Wolves coach Dean Blake paid tribute to the fighting qualities of his team after they came within a few moments of upsetting one of National Basketball League Division Two’s leading sides, Manchester Magic, on Saturday.

Without the ball and trailing 60-59 with just 19 seconds to play, Wolves harassed their hosts into a backcourt violation to regain possession and a chance of victory before a jumbled close to proceedings allowed Manchester to escape with a 62-59 success.

“The guys did everything I asked them to and competed hard for 40 minutes,” said Blake.

“It wasn’t a pretty game with so many lead changes, and maybe some decisions I made down the stretch gave Manchester the advantage they needed to take the win, but I’m really happy with the players’ efforts

“We’ve got a few players out injured and I had to ask a lot from everyone. We didn’t win but we still fought and battled to keep the game close.”

The back-and-forth nature of the evening was on show from the outset as a double of three-pointers from Magic’s lively forward Tyme Regent-Bascombe were answered by a right-corner triple from Wolves’ Jacob Dearman.

Wilfrid Santhe drove to the hoop to push Worcester 15-9 ahead by the close of the first quarter but by three minutes into the second period another Regent-Bascombe score had pushed his side 20-18 in front.

Wolves’ big man pairing of James Davis and Dume Okibe combined to persistently block Manchester’s path to the basket and switch the lead back in favour of the visitors at 29-25 entering the second half.

Seven unanswered home points swiftly reversed control before Finn Rennie came to the fore with a clever hand-off for Okibe to convert and sinking a long-range shot as he fell backwards to the floor.

Santhe delighted in repeatedly picking the pocket of Magic ball-handlers to race forward for a quick quartet of baskets that restricted the hosts’ advantage to 43-42 as the final quarter commenced.

Jeremy Lievin deftly twisted around defenders to thump Wolves 46-44 ahead and keep matters close until the evening’s tense final moments.

Santhe stuffed the stat-sheet with 26 points, eight rebounds, seven assists and five steals. Davis put forward a double-double display of 11 points and 13 rebounds, closely followed by a nine point/ten rebound showing from Okibe.

Wolves return to the University of Worcester Arena next Saturday 07 December (7pm) to take on second-placed Leicester Warriors. Tickets are available here.

“Leicester will be a strong opponent but if we come out again with the fight we’ve shown today then I’m always willing to back us,” added Blake.