Bristol Flyers 72-77 Worcester Wolves

Friday 02 April 2021

An assured finish saw Worcester Wolves overcome Bristol Flyers 77-72 on Friday to move up to sixth place in the British Basketball League and secure the season’s head-to-head record over their eighth-placed rivals.

Bristol held a 72-71 edge going into the final two minutes of a back and forth encounter before Wolves’ captain Maarten Bouwknecht stepped forward to notch the game’s last half-dozen points and lead his side to success.

Worcester coach Matt Newby explained the turnaround from last weekend’s defeat against the same opponent, saying: “We changed some of our coverages from last time and I think that had the effect of disrupting Bristol’s rhythm.

“We played connected basketball for the majority of today and showed the sort of grit and determination that we’re going to need for the run in to the end of the season and that we’ll need to succeed in the playoffs.”

Repeated exchanges of baskets led to six first-quarter ties and an 18-16 Flyers advantage before a Micah Elan pull-up jumper once more brought the sides together as the second period began.

The hosts led again at 25-20, prompting a Worcester timeout. Elijah Burns now debuted on the scoresheet, Josh McSwiggan sank a triple from the wing and Burns connected from the top of the key to bring about Bristol’s turn to request a stoppage.

A Bouwknecht solo drive to the hoop nudged Wolves 35-34 ahead as the half-time buzzer sounded.

As the close of the third quarter approached the teams were yet again welded together at 52-52. However, a burst of action from Worcester speedster Lamarr Kimble produced 59-52 ascendancy for the visitors going into the last ten minutes of the evening.

Control was switched anew following consecutive three-pointers made by Flyers’ Great Britain guard combo of Ben Mockford and Teddy Okereafor.

But Bristol’s points total stagnated on the back of inspirational Worcester defensive plays. Firstly Jordan Williams soared up to block a Marcus Delpeche attempted dunk and then a profusion of harrying hands denied the space for Flyers to inbound the ball in the permitted five seconds time-limit.

Bouwknecht and Kimble tallied 19 points apiece, supported by 14 from Burns and ten for  McSwiggan.

“Maarten and Lamarr put up good points, but we also had inputs from across the board,” said Newby.

“There were lots of small contributions at various times that accumulated to get us over the line.”

Wolves go into the second of a concentrated spell of five matches in ten days when they host London Lions at the University of Worcester Arena on Sunday. The match tips off at 3pm and will be streamed live and for free on Worcester Wolves YouTube channel.

“London will be fired up after we beat them on their own court last Sunday,” added Newby.

“We’ll need to be prepped for their response and be ready for the games that are now quickly coming up. Players will be rehabbing, taking ice-baths and getting up shots on their days off.”