Worcester Wolves 83-85 Birmingham City University

Friday 18th September 2026

By Colin Taylor

It was an opening night thriller for Worcester Wolves on Friday as they went back-and-forth with Birmingham City University before falling to an agonising 85-83 overtime defeat.

A large crowd bustled into the University of Worcester Arena eager to see Wolves begin their defence of last season’s National Basketball League Division One title against their West Midlands rivals, another of this year’s favourites for honours.

Worcester were quick out of the blocks to accumulate a healthy 48-34 half-time lead before Birmingham swept back into contention, driven by a stunning 45-point personal haul from their veteran Sam Toluwase.

Playmaker Harry Godwin stole the ball at midcourt as the game commenced for a simple layup and laid on a double of assists for his backcourt partner Daijaun Antonio, propelling Wolves 8-3 in front  after just a couple of minutes had elapsed.

Three Toluwase conversions from the foul-line drew the teams into a 15-15 tie before successive Antonio three-pointers pushed the home side clear at 23-15 entering the second quarter.

Jesse Kilara extended the lead with a confident run to the hoop and, by midway through the period, new USA recruit Marcus Robinson debuted on the scoresheet with a triple for a 36-24 lead.

Matters looked even more comfortable when Robinson again connected from distance and Kilara tipped in a Godwin miss at the half-time buzzer.

However, it was a different story after the interval once Toluwase made the decision to put the Birmingham side on his back.

It would take until the final minute of the third period before any of his teammates impacted the scoreboard as fans and players alike marvelled at seeing the former Leeds, Manchester and Sheffield forward prove unstoppable in racking up a quick-fire 21 points.

Only a late double of Robinson three-pointers allowed Worcester to stay 65-57 to the good as the period concluded.

In contrast to their earlier verve, the hosts now struggled to advance their advantage.

Even when Toluwase eventually slowed his scoring output he switched to laying on an outside success for former Worcester stalwart Emmanuel Yeboah that drew the teams together at 69-69 with three minutes remaining.

Yeboah was on the mark again to put Birmingham74-71 ahead with seconds to play

But sharpshooter Robinson continued to impress when pulling up to calmly sink his fifth triple of the evening, bringing spectators to their feet and extending the contest into five minutes of extra time.

Fellow newcomer Theo Bailey produced a crowd-pleasing slam to edge Wolves into their final lead of the evening at 76-75.

With a half-minute to go Robinson again nailed a three to leave Birmingham clinging to an 85-83 edge, but the American’s final attempt at the target could only hit the rim of the basket before bouncing upwards and out to leave away fans celebrating.

Robinson topped the Worcester scoring with 21 points, followed by 16 apiece for Godwin and Antonio.

Yeboah notched seven points on his return to the city.

“The guys fought really hard so it’s obviously disappointing not to get the win,” stated head coach Dean Blake.

“Birmingham did what they had to do. Credit to Sam Toluwase for doing a job – he really carried them today.”

Next weekend sees a doubleheader of action. On Saturday 26 September (7.30pm), Wolves host St Helens Saints at the University of Worcester Arena.

The following day (4.30pm) the club visits Milton Keynes Breakers in National Cup action.

“We’ve got a young group here. A more experienced team may have got the game over the line,” added Blake. “But we now have another week together to prepare and another week for all the players to get on the same page.”

Tickets for Saturdays game against St Helens Saints can be purchased here or from the Arena.