Worcester Wolves 71-77 St Helens Saints

Saturday 26th September 2026

By Colin Taylor

Worcester Wolves came out on the wrong side of a topsy-turvy encounter with St Helens Saints at the University of Worcester Arena on Saturday, dropping to a 77-71 defeat.

Multiple lead changes saw Wolves hold a 35-34 half-time edge but fall behind in the second half and find themselves unable to do quite enough to recover.

Most statistical categories proved fairly even between the sides except for second-chance opportunities where Worcester tellingly gifted 27 points to St Helens, more than twice the total allowed by their opponent.

Saints raced up court to score just five seconds after the tip-off. It was nearly four minutes later before the hosts notched their first points from the field, a Daijaun Antonio layup after intercepting an errant pass.

Jesse Kilara rose high to reject a St Helens shot attempt and Antonio connected from distance for an 8-7 lead.

The first quarter closed with Wolves 17-16 to the good.

A double of three-pointers from Saints American guard Will Self put his team 28-21 in front. His opposing countryman Marcus Robinson responded with a quick-fire eight points to draw the sides back together as the first half wound down.

Worcester centre Christian Rufus-Shaba now found his touch close to the hoop and Fin Rennie produced a series of strong drives to maintain a 51-49 lead by midway through the third period.

Late scores pushed St Helens into the box-seat at 57-53 entering the final quarter.

Time-and-again visiting players were the first to grab offensive rebounds and slot in put-back baskets, rattling up a 68-56 advantage with five minutes remaining.

With sporadic successes the only Wolves reply, St Helens were easily able to fend off any hope of a home comeback.

Rennie led the Worcester scorers with 21 points, supported by 14 from Robinson.

“We were competitive, but if we’re allowing twenty-seven second-chance points then we’ll make it very tough for ourselves,” lamented head coach Dean Blake.

“We should only allow the opposition one shot. We have to claim the ball after that.”

The following day Wolves endured a difficult afternoon at Milton Keynes Breakers, exiting the National Cup after an 86-60 defeat.

The team return to the University of Worcester Arena on Friday 09 October (7.30pm) hosting Cardiff Archers.

Before then, on Sunday 04 October, the club travel to Gloucester City Kings, a newly-promoted side featuring several top-level players and spearheaded by former Worcester playmaker Elvisi Dusha. The match tips off at 2pm.

“This league is full of very good players so it’s ultimately about our players sharpening their skills against them and improving,” added Blake. “We’re going up against high-quality players so it’s an opportunity for our players to level up with them.”

Tickets are on sale for Wolves women versus ARU this Saturday and Wolves men versus Cardiff Met Archers on Friday October 9th. Tickets can be purchased here and from the University of Worcester Arena.