Manchester Magic 80-57 Worcester Wolves

Saturday 14th February 2026

By Colin Taylor

There was little Valentine’s Day love in the air for Worcester Wolves as their recent fine run of form ground to a shuddering halt at Manchester Magic.

An even contest saw Manchester just 56-53 ahead entering the final quarter but thereafter the hosts stepped on the gas with a blistering 24-4 run that left Worcester staring up at an 80-57 hammering.

There was a similar second-half collapse for Wolves at Liverpool last weekend before they pulled out a late comeback and coach Dean Blake hopes there is not a pattern developing for his side.

“Manchester were hitting everything in the last quarter and we just couldn’t get a run going of our own,” said Blake.

“Last week we had a bad third quarter but we were able to get over it. Against a better team this week, we couldn’t. We need to solve the problem.”

Magic grabbed the game’s initial seven points before Earl Burgess strong-armed his way to a trio of three-point plays that pushed Wolves 20-17 in front to close the first period.

Wilfrid Santhe produced a solo drive to re-commence the scoring and, after watching him slot in a couple more within a minute, Manchester were calling for a timeout, trailing 26-17.

At three minutes before half-time the hosts were again requesting a break in the action after Dume Okibe had thrust upwards for a powerful one-handed slam and a double-digit 35-24 lead.

Another confident Santhe weave put Worcester 38-32 to the good at half-time.

However, led by playmaker Jack Walton, Magic chipped away at their visitors’ advantage.

By two minutes remaining in the third quarter, as well as laying on a series of scores    for teammates, the teenage sensation sank a double of outside shots to push his side 50-48 ahead.

Any chance of a road victory vanished when it took nearly four minutes of the final quarter for Wolves to impact the scoreboard with an Emmanuel Yeboah triple.

That basket would prove to be Worcester’s only points from the field for the rest of the evening as multiple attacks came up empty and repeated turnovers provided easy opportunities for their opponents.

Manchester made hay on their way to an overwhelming victory with Walton continuing to direct traffic while also continuing to build up to his 24 points personal tally.

Yeboah led the away scoring with 15 points, with Burgess contributing 11 points and 12 rebounds in a losing cause.

Despite the defeat, Wolves still sit at the top of Pool A of National Basketball League Division One with a 14 win and 5 loss record, but have a cluster of clubs nipping at their heels.

“We will obviously have to put right what happened today if we want to win the league,” added Blake. 

Having now concluded an extended four-game road trip, the team finally return to the familiar surroundings of the University of Worcester Arena this Saturday 21 February to host Oxford Hoops as part of Super Saturday Sponsored by Edwards Motors & Edwards Kia PBV Commercial Vehicle Centre in a 7.30pm tip-off.

Before then, Wolves Women take on local rivals Bromsgrove Bears in a 5pm tip-off in the first part of a double-bill of matches. Get your tickets here or in person in advance or at the game from the University of Worcester Arena Box Office.