Manchester Giants 97-90 Worcester Wolves.

Wednesday 24 March 2021

Worcester Wolves could do little to fend off a barrage of three-pointers as they dropped to a 97-90 defeat at Manchester Giants on Wednesday.

Giants’ sharpshooting put Wolves into double-figure arrears by the end of the first quarter and although the visitors eventually hauled back the deficit and even briefly edged ahead late in the game, Manchester always did enough to control the outcome.

Sam Cassell Jr notched a couple of the four triples that had found their target by just five minutes into the evening, prompting a Worcester timeout to address the issue. However, Donovan Marshall-Johnson immediately connected from outside the arc for a comfortable 21-8 lead as the match re-started.

A quartet of inside scores from Jordan Williams was the only significant dent made in Manchester’s 30-17 first quarter advantage.

The second period began on a dispiriting note for the visitors as their opponents leapt highest to tip in a missed shot, profiting from one of a half-dozen first half offensive rebounds.

Giants’ 44-38 half-time lead expanded as soon as the teams returned to the court when Cassell Jr sank another three.

Forward Josh McSwiggan found his own range to prevent the deficit widening and Williams settled into a pattern of backing down his defender to finally nudge Wolves 76-75 in front with four minutes remaining.

After several exchanges of baskets McSwiggan was fouled in the act of draining a three-pointer to earn a bonus free-throw. The bonus doubled after Cassell Jr attracted a technical foul for disputing the referee’s decision, leaving Manchester clinging to an 84-83 edge.

But victory was assured once former Worcester guard Jordan Whelan and Marshall-Johnson were able to find enough space to rattle home further outside shots.

“We put ourselves into an early hole and had to expend too much effort to climb out of it,” said coach Matt Newby. “We were second-best in going for loose balls, in getting rebounds and lost control of our own destiny in gifting too many possessions to Manchester.”

McSwiggan led the scoring with 20 points, supported by 16 apiece from Williams and Mike Parks.

Wolves face a doubleheader of action this weekend. On Friday 26 March they welcome Bristol Flyers to the University of Worcester Arena. The match tips off at 7pm and will be streamed live and for free on Worcester Wolves YouTube channel.

The following Sunday 28 March (2.30pm) Wolves travel to London Lions.  

“We gave up too many three-pointers on blown coverages and poor defence today,” added Newby. “Bristol are desperate to get into a playoff place. Everyone will have to do more than they did today or Bristol will destroy us.”