Friday 30 January 2015 Worcester Wolves 71-70 Surrey United

Despite a performance described by their coach Paul James as probably their worst of the season, Worcester Wolves still managed to sneak a 71-70 win over Surrey United on Friday.

Wolves’ previous two matches at the University of Worcester also saw narrow triumphs, but the opponents on those occasions were much higher-ranked teams than this week’s visitors, a Surrey side that had only gained four league wins versus sixteen losses.

The score was tight throughout the contest, but a 71-67 lead with two free throws to follow, at just 22 seconds remaining, ought to have been enough to see Wolves through. However, on a night when the hosts had already missed an eye-opening eleven foul shots, Paul Guede joined the long list of culprits by also squandering both late attempts. After a three-point play from United guard Anthony Downing, Wolves still had possession of the ball but, when it was subsequently fumbled out of bounds by Robert Thurman, young English guard Elvisi Dusha narrowly failed to connect with a late winner.

James expressed his dismay at his side’s display, saying: “I’m really disappointed with the level of our performance. Too many things were happening that shouldn’t have. I don’t know where the players’ heads were tonight. Yes its two points in the win column, but that’s all it was.”

Wolves had the better of the early exchanges close to the basket, with Thurman on target four times in the first quarter. In the second quarter, captain Alex Owumi found his range, tallying thirteen points. Worryingly, none of their team-mates contributed significant points to the 36-36 half-time score.

After the break, the offence for everyone in a Wolves vest, save for point guard Chavis Holmes, dried up. Meanwhile Surrey’s recent signing Dominique Coleman came to the fore with a triple of baskets. Dusha sank a three-pointer and Erick Forson pumped his fist in the air when doing likewise as the third quarter ended with Worcester trailing 57-58.

An injection of enthusiasm from Disraeli Lufadeju garnered him a steal and a long-range success, and his side a 63-59 cushion. When the dangerous Coleman was forced off court having picked up his fifth foul, and with six minutes remaining, it looked as if the match could be closed out. But, with only Holmes still scoring, United were able to prevent Wolves capitalising, so setting up the late drama.

Owumi and Holmes led the Worcester scoring with 20 and 19 points respectively. Thurman was the only other double-digit scorer, notching 13 points to accompany his 13 rebounds.

Next up is a BBL Trophy quarter-final tie at Leicester Riders on Saturday. James warned that there will need to be significant improvement if his team are to defend the silverware they won last March, saying: “We got away with one tonight. If we repeat that performance on Saturday at Riders then we’ll be on the end of a very bad loss.”