Worcester Wolves 80 – 61 Loughborough Riders

Saturday 17^th January 2026

By Harriet TC

The Worcester Wolves Women’s team delivered an exceptional performance in their league game at the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday 17^th January.

The arena buzzed with energy as fans awaited the long- anticipated tip-off for the sides first home game of 2026.

As the Wolves stepped onto the court to face the Loughborough Riders, the atmosphere was almost electric, and rightly so.

The team secured a confident 80– 61 victory, leaving the players and supporters thrilled with the result.

The Wolves opened the game strongly, with Team Captain Carolina Marques scoring back-to-back on her return from injury and new signing Marlee Ball adding another score to build up early momentum.

Despite picking up three team fouls, Worcester controlled most of the first quarter.

A timeout was called at 2:24 which helped them reset defensively, and they finished the period with a 20-16 lead.

With a firing start to the second quarter, Charlotte Finn scoring a layup within the first 20 seconds.

Marques then added more points and Ciani Montgomery who had a standout couple of shots scoring a 2-pointer later hitting a 3-pointer at 8:24.

Riders responded by attempting a few shots of their own, but Worcester maintained the upper hand through solid defence and clever play, but the Wolves ended the first half with a 41 – 31.

After the buzzer called the start of the second half, Wolves exploded onto the court after half time with purpose and poise.

Immediately leading through with strong finishes from Marques, who added points after calmly hitting her free throws, also chipping in with a beautiful under the rim lay-up which lifted the crowd.

Finn had a beautiful drive to under the hoop scoring a 2 point lay-up to continue Worcester offensive onslaught.

Although the Riders briefly closed the gap, the Wolves responded with tactical teamwork, in the final minutes of the third quarter, they rebuilt their advantage to 60-44 going into the final quarter of regulation play.

The fourth quarter opened with another powerful drive from Finn, later followed up by three-point jump shot made by Marlee after a broken defence play from the opposition.

A Wolves timeout sharpened their focus as Eri Bukoye scored a 2-point layup before the final buzzer.

With the Wolves winning 80-61 on the night, Coach Alexis Lewis will be pleased with how his team have bounced back this week as they pursue a place in the end of season Play Offs.

The Wolves Women return to the road this weekend with a short trip to take on Bristol Flyers (3pm) and return to the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday January 31^st to take on London All Stars (7pm).