Leicester Riders 121-70 Worcester Wolves

Saturday 05 January 2019

Worcester Wolves players had to duck for cover in the face of a barrage of disappointment at title-challenging Leicester Riders on Saturday.

Unable to carry over the fighting qualities shown in Friday’s close defeat to Bristol Flyers, Wolves fell into a huge 32-63 half-time deficit and only compounded their woes by giving up a self-destructing nine technical fouls, allowing Leicester to rampage to a thumping 121-70 victory.

The opening plays of the match gave no sign of what was to follow. Robert Crawford drove confidently to the hoop and then sank a three-pointer for a 5-0 visitors lead.

However, a double of holding fouls in the first couple of minutes for Miki Servera did indicate that the evening would be closely-refereed.

Darell Combs picked up an offensive foul after a tussle with his defender and Worcester frustrations with the match officials overshadowed their structure as Riders calmly strolled to a 33-18 first-quarter advantage.

Three points for Combs reduced the arrears as the second period began, but when usually-restrained big man Lester Prosper was awarded a technical foul for dissent the rot once more set in.

Missed shots, wayward passes and fragile defence saw Leicester gleefully power to a shade under twice Wolves’ points total going into half-time.

Just after the break Combs attracted a technical foul when disputing a decision and was sent off the court for follow-up sarcastic clapping. Deshawn Freeman joined the argument, as did the Worcester bench, resulting in four made free throws for Riders and a no-way-back 71-34 lead.

Season-leading scorer Freeman had notched just eight points when he was the next man dismissed to the locker-rooms after being unable to hold in his frustration.

Both teams ushered their reserve players into the action as the ill-tempered encounter wound down.

Jordan Whelan with 19 points and Crawford with 18 were the only significant Worcester scorers.

Next Friday 26 April (7.30) will see Wolves’ last appearance of the season at the University of Worcester Arena when Glasgow Rocks visit the city.

After that, on Sunday 28 April (5.30), they travel to Cheshire Phoenix for the very last fixture of their 2018-19 campaign.