Worcester Wolves 81-74 Liverpool

Saturday 8th November 2025

By Colin Taylor

Worcester Wolves consolidated their hold on third spot in National Basketball League Division One after seeing off Liverpool in an overtime thriller at the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday.

A gritty encounter saw the teams held in a 69-69 deadlock at the end of regulation time, prompting an extra five minutes of action.

Liverpool edged 72-71 ahead by midway through the added time before Wolves thumped in a swift ten points to ride out to an 81-74 final score-line.

“We had to dig deep,” reflected Coach Dean Blake. “I’m happy that our players were able to grind out the win – it’s good for them to have this sort of situation to build their experience and still come out on top.”

The back-and-forth nature of the evening was set from the opening tip-off as Liverpool’s Louis Rogerson-Evans bagged seven of his side’s first ten points before a three-pointer from Georgios Stergiopoulos levelled matters.

More Rogerson-Evans points pushed the visitors back in front until outside shooting from Emmanuel Yeboah and Harry Godwin, and a Yeboah drive as first-quarter time expired, put Wolves 24-19 ahead.

Humberto Ferreira connected to add to a lead that maximised at 28-19 when Ferreira accepted a clever Yeboah hand-off.

However, a triple from veteran forward Kieran Forsythe put Liverpool back into contention as the first half wound down and, after a tactical time-out, the same man got himself open to sink another and send his side into the interval 40-39 to the good.

Soon after the break, Earl Burgess backed down his defender to secure just his second score of the match but then rattled in a bagful more while delighting in seeing fellow big Ferreira do likewise.

Worcester still trailed by a point at 59-58 entering the fourth quarter and now relied on Burgess repeatedly overpowering opponents and dominating the scoring.

In the final minute Wilfrid Santhe notched his first basket since the very first minute of the contest for a 69-67 home advantage before a late reply extended the action.

Stergiopoulos stole the ball to set up Burgess for an overtime lead and, after Liverpool had yet again edged ahead, the former threw his hands in the air to mark a long-range success.

With baying spectators joining the go-ahead celebrations, Burgess once more barrelled to the hoop and a dispirited Liverpool now found nothing left in the tank to respond.

Though not quite achieving one of his frequent double-double honours, Burgess still impressed with 24 points and seven rebounds. Ferreira contributed 17 points, with Stergiopoulos adding 14.

“We often have a problem of not locking in until the second-half,” said Burgess. “But we found a way to grind it out today and it was great to get the win in such a close game.”

The Converse University graduate was keen to point out how much he is enjoying his time in Worcester and the pleasure he gets from helping teammates.

“The town reminds me in places of home – everyone is so nice and I really love being here.

“We have a lot of young players in the squad and they tell me I’m old and sometimes call me ‘Unc’. But that’s okay because anything I can do to help us get the win is what matters.”

Next Friday, 14 November, Wolves will take on the challenge of meeting the league’s only remaining unbeaten side, Manchester Magic, at the University of Worcester Arena in an 8.30pm tip-off.

“Manchester have plenty of experience in their team and have a very good guard there in Jack Walton,” added Blake. “We’ll get back into training on Monday and get ready.”

Tickets for this Friday nights game against Manchester Magic are available here and from the University of Worcester Arena box office.