Plymouth Raiders 106-83 Worcester Wolves

Sunday 14 April 2019

Worcester Wolves could do nothing to slow down a free-scoring Plymouth Raiders side as they slumped to a 106-83 defeat in Devon on Sunday.

Half-time arrears of 37-50 only worsened after the break with multiple turnovers and wayward shooting taking their toll.

Jordan Whelan came in from the bench in just the second minute of the match to supply a pass for Deshawn Freeman to convert and drove through a gap for a 6-2 lead.

But this would be as good as it got for Wolves. By three minutes remaining in the first quarter the teams were level at 12-12, and by the close of the period Plymouth were 22-18 to the good.

Raiders’ back-up centre Shawn Shelton had no difficulty in dancing to a trio of scores as the second quarter began, stretching the advantage to 31-18.

At the twelfth attempt a Wolves three-pointer finally dropped through the net. Despite the scarcity of long-range successes, a further seven first-half attempts would be taken, with just one more finding the target.

Worcester’s difficulties were typified on their last pre-interval possession as Robert Crawford gave up the ball after bustling into his defender.

A quick seven points in redemption from Crawford gave brief hope for Wolves at 51-57 four minutes into the second-half, before Plymouth stepped back on the gas to roll to a dominant 80-60 lead entering the final quarter.

With Worcester’s turnover total once more edging higher, and chances to put the ball through the hoop not being taken, Raiders were left to coast to an easy victory.

Freeman toiled throughout the afternoon for a 22 point/10 rebound double-double performance. Lester Prosper put forward 16 points, with Whelan and Alex Navajas contributing 13 points apiece.

Wolves face back-to-back action next weekend. On Good Friday (7.30) they welcome Bristol Flyers to the University of Worcester Arena. The next day (7.30) they travel to Midlands neighbours Leicester Riders.