Friday 18 April 2014 Worcester Wolves 84-79 Glasgow Rocks

Worcester Wolves held on to their chance of claiming second place in the British Basketball League by defeating Glasgow Rocks at the University of Worcester Arena on Friday. With the current holders of the runners-up spot, Sheffield Sharks, also emerging victorious in their penultimate fixture, the final standings will not be confirmed until Sunday afternoon after Sharks have completed their trip to Plymouth Raiders. If Wolves win as expected in their match at lowly Surrey United on Saturday, then matters will hinge on what takes place in Devon the day after.

With Glasgow battling hard to stay in contention for a playoff place, Good Friday was never an entirely comfortable way for the Worcester players to enjoy a Bank Holiday. Although a substantial 51-32 advantage had been accumulated by halfway through the contest, the Rocks doggedly stuck to the task, leaving the game still up for grabs in the final seconds, with Wolves just managing to secure a hard-fought 84-79 success.

Nearly half of Wolves’ first quarter points came from an unlikely source, young English forward Kalil Irving. He floated home a three-pointer to bring up an early 8-4 lead, and a few moments later impressed with a confident drive to the hoop. Glasgow edged in front after Gareth Murray was on target with a triple, but eight additional points from Irving soon regained the lead.

Kai Williams sank from the outside to close the first quarter at 29-24, and Alex Owumi did likewise as the second quarter opened. Another double of baskets from Williams stretched the advantage to 37-24 at seven minutes left in the half, forcing a Glasgow time out. The short interruption did little to help the visitors as Zaire Taylor opened his account, and Disraeli Lufadeju came off the bench to sink a deuce of three-pointers.

However, the longer interval break seemed to have a different effect as Glasgow rallied. Wolves’ centre Will Creekmore hit two scores in the first minute of the second half, but it would be a further three minutes before any other Worcester player would score again from the field. In the meantime the Rocks chipped away at the deficit, closing matters to 58-51 with two minutes of the third period remaining.

After the first couple of minutes of the final quarter had elapsed, the gap had reduced to just 68-63 after a series of successes for Murray, and for his forward partner Fran Urli. Accurate shooting from Owumi initially looked to have put down the resistance as the advantage widened back out to 75-63 at five minutes to play, prompting Rocks’ player-coach Sterling Davis to urgently call for another break.

With their season on the line, Davis’ troops responded, providing an exciting finale. With Scottish-born Murray’s scoring inspiring his team mates, the arrears were once more reduced to 80-74 approaching the last minute of the evening. Williams was adjudged to have impeded Chris Johnson as he laid the ball home, and then had to watch his fellow Canadian make the bonus free throw, to make it a one-shot game.
At 38 seconds to go the tension ratcheted even higher after Taylor got in the way of Alex Marcotullio’s desperate three-point attempt.

Marcotullio converted two of the three foul shots he was awarded, bringing his side tantalisingly close at 80-79. However the valiant efforts of the visitors were not ultimately rewarded as Taylor found Lufadeju open, and the first-year Worcester man was able to float home his third long distance success of the evening.

Wolves’ coach Paul James reflected on what took place, saying: “We always knew Glasgow would scrap hard, with their play-off hopes still in the balance. The message to our players was to end the regular season as we started it here, with a win. We did well in the first half, but became static in the second. Ultimately we came through though, helped by a big three-pointer at the end from Dizzy.

“I’m also pleased that we had five players scoring in double-figures, as well as a stunning performance from Zaire Taylor; 14 rebounds, 13 points and 11 assists – what more can you ask for from your point guard.”

Top scorers for Worcester were Owumi and Irving with 21 and 15 points respectively. Murray and Johnson joint top-scored for Glasgow with 18 points apiece.

The regular season will conclude for Wolves with Saturday’s trip to Surrey. The home leg in the first round of the play-offs will take place at the University of Worcester Arena next Sunday, 27 April, (tip off 3pm