Worcester Wolves 73-71 Manchester Magic

Friday 14th November 2025 by Colin Taylor

Worcester Wolves produced their result of the season so far when putting an end to the unbeaten record of Manchester Magic at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday.

A 70-63 lead entering the last minute of the evening looked to have secured victory for Wolves until Manchester swept back into contention, grabbing the game’s final possession and throwing up a last-gasp shot that bounced off the hoop to leave the hosts clinging onto a 73-71 success.

Worcester now stand in second-place in National Basketball League Division One with six wins from eight games played, beneath Birmingham City University’s record of just a single defeat in their seven outings.

“The last minute was a bit tense,” admitted Coach Dean Blake. “But we came good when it counted and we pulled out the win.

“Manchester are one of the top teams in this league so we knew it would be a tough game. If we also want to be one of the top teams then we are going to have to be able to mix it with these sorts of sides.

“I’m really pleased we got the win. Everyone contributed in different ways today – it was a full team performance.”

Earl Burgess accepted a pass from Wilfrid Santhe to open the Wolves scoring and proceeded to slot home a further four first-quarter baskets to aid a 19-16 lead.

While Burgess continued to have a hot hand, the second quarter was also notable for Magic’s pinpoint accuracy in the first six minutes of the period when floating home five three-point successes from five attempts.

Blake called a time-out four seconds before half-time to draw up a buzzer-beating play where Daijaun Antonio set his feet to sink a triple and send the teams into the interval locked at 35-35.

By midway through the third quarter the sides still sat together at 46-46 before Emmanuel Yeboah proved unstoppable as he took all ten of the next Worcester points to provide a 56-48 cushion entering the final period.

Having stolen the ball and then cheekily backhanded it on for Yeboah to convert, Luan Ferreira jumped forward again to take advantage of Burgess working hard for an offensive rebound.

Ongoing Yeboah action moved the hosts into what appeared to be a decisive position as the game wound down, ahead of Manchester’s effervescent guard Jack Walton dropping a double of late baskets and very nearly completing the visitor’s fightback when his third attempt went narrowly awry.

Burgess and Yeboah led the scoring with 20 and 18 points respectively, supported by 11 points from Santhe. Walton top-scored for Liverpool on 18 points.

Wolves now take to the road for a stretch of three games. First up is a trip to Cardiff Archers this Sunday 16 November (6pm). Next Saturday 22 November (2.30pm) sees the team travel to Oxford Hoops, with their travels concluding at Leicester Warriors on Sunday 30 November (3pm).

Wolves return to the familiar surroundings of the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday 06 December to host St Helens in a 7.30pm tip-off. Before then, Wolves Women take on Brent Bulls in a 5pm tip-off as the first part of a double-bill of matches.

For enquiries, please contact worcesterwolves@worc.ac.uk